The University’s STEMLab has been announced as a winner at the S-Lab Awards for Excellence in Laboratory Design, Management and Operation.
The building – which opened on the West Park of campus in 2017 – won the Multi-Disciplinary Science Teaching and Research Buildings category.
It boasts innovative and inspiring teaching spaces, laboratories, engineering studios and workshops, as well as a 3D printing suite.
Pro Vice-Chancellor for Teaching, Professor Rachel Thomson, collected the award on behalf of º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ at the S-Lab and UK Science Park Association’s Science, Innovation and Collaboration 2019 conference, which took place 2-3 April at the University of Birmingham.
º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ’s Julie Turner, Chris Harris and Catherine Fleming were also in attendance.
Talking about the award, Rachel said: “STEMLab is more than a building. The design, build and operation of STEMLab has resulted in a culture change across science and engineering laboratory teaching.
“Our journey began in 2012 for the build, and I was very proud when we opened in October 2017. Student and staff feedback is very positive and I am really grateful to all colleagues across the campus, from Facilities Management and the academic Schools and the Professional Services who engaged with the process at various stages.
“This award means a lot as the judges recognised all aspects including the building design, project management, ongoing use and operational structures to make best use of the building and provide new opportunities for our students.”
As part of the two-day event, Professor Rachel Thomson also gave a keynote speech, Designing and Running STEM Facilities: An Academic Client Perspective, based on her experience of developing a new STEMLab.
She also participated in a discussion session on Effective Project Management of STEM Developments, with additional inputs from AECOM and Turner and Townsend.
S-Lab is a Higher Education-funded initiative which supports good laboratory design and operation, and the S-Lab Awards for Excellence in Laboratory Design, Management and Operation have been running since 2012.
A video tour of the STEMLab can be viewed online.