UCA Epsom's new £5.9m teaching block
The University for the Creative Arts (UCA) at Epsom will host a Topping Out Ceremony on Tuesday 7 September to celebrate reaching the highest point in the construction of its new £5.9million teaching block.
The Ashley Road campus will soon boast a modern, three-storey building with new learning and resource facilities, a 200-seat auditorium and a digital media centre.
The Mayor of Epsom and Ewell, Cllr Clive Smitheram, will perform the ceremonial duties alongside UCA's Vice-Chancellor, Professor Elaine Thomas, at 1pm.
Pro Vice-Chancellor for Corporate Resources, Alan Cooke, said: "The University for the Creative Arts is delighted to have reached this significant milestone in the construction of the new teaching block.
"The new building will not only provide 21st Century teaching facilities for our students but it will also benefit the wider community as many areas will be made available to the general on completion."
Contractors, The Leadbitter Group, began construction in April 2010. It will be fully equipped and ready to welcome the new intake of students in September 2011.
David Cook, Regional Director of Leadbitter, said: "This is an exciting and challenging project for everyone involved at Leadbitter and we are confident of achieving completion on time."
The new building will have high green credentials and is aiming to achieve an 'Excellent' rating by the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM).
At least 20 percent of renewable energy will be generated on site via photovoltaic cells on the roof and solar panels will hear water. Rainwater will also be harvested underground to flush lavatories.
UCA Estates Development manager, Mike Osborn, said: "We are proud to be using innovative construction techniques to create an environmentally friendly facility at UCA Epsom.
"The new building will enhance, consolidate and improve the UCA's physical resources in order to provide specialist learning and teaching accommodation for those studying Fashion, Digital Media and Photography."
It is the first project in the UK to be certified by the Building Research Establishment (BRE) under the new BREEAM Education: Higher Education code for sustainable buildings.
Over 80% of the total project's funding has been granted through the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE).
The Design Team includes Bond Bryan Architects, Mott MacDonald Consulting Engineers and Huntley Cartwright, Quantity Surveyors.
The University for the Creative Arts has campuses in Canterbury, Epsom, Farnham, Maidstone and Rochester and is one of Europe's largest specialist Universities of art, design, architecture, media and communication.
With around 7,000 students studying on a wide range of well-established courses, potential graphic designers' work alongside budding journalists and pioneering fashion designers in a highly creative environment.
For more information contact:
David Reilly, Press Officer, UCA
T: 01252 892939
E: dreilly@ucreative.ac.uk
