Multi-million pound Lincoln university science hub takes shape

Construction on the University of Lincoln’s new £17.5 million Isaac Newton building is accelerating towards a spring 2017 completion date after 50,000 hours of labour.

Contractors on the project have been sharing their progress over 14 months of construction with high resolution visual flyarounds of the building, as well as impressive drone footage of the four storey, 7,432 square metre development.

The Isaac Newton building is on track for a spring 2017 completion.

The building will be the new home to the schools of computer science, engineering and mathematics and physics and forms the next phase of the university’s progressing masterplan.

Phase one of the build was documented in a time-lapse in April.

The expansion branches off from the existing Engineering Hub on the campus, which was constructed in 2011.

The construction is triple the size of the Engineering Hub, and is on a site which was previously used as a staff and visitor car park.

Contractors BAM Construction achieved the significant milestone last week, and are on track with the 65 week programme of works.

Ryan Geldard, BAM’s project safety manager for the Isaac Newton Building, noted there have been no accidents in the 50,000 hours of construction. He said: “BAM have a ‘zero harm’ programme and I’m delighted that we’ve doing well so far here.

“We have a very modern way of working and a respectful approach to our workforce, which is a good basis for minimising the potential hazards in our unique workplace.”

The drone flights conducted on site allow for the team to assess the progress and sequencing of works at higher elevations against the computer modelling for the build.

“Drone checks can be more accurate than the human eye and they can assist us evaluate safety and logistics too,” Ryan added.

“The digitalisation process for construction will keep accelerating but you cannot replace the value of good communication with the people who work here and holding frequent, proper briefings on each phase of activity is what keeps us co-ordinated and safe.”

The building is named after Sir Isaac Newton, the great mathematician and physicist, who lived in Woolsthorpe-by-Colsterworth near Grantham, Lincolnshire.

BAM Construction are also responsible for the development of the university’s Sarah Swift Building, which will house the schools of health and social care and psychology off Brayford Wharf East. That project will be completed in the summer.