Newcastle Science Central achieves CEEQUAL ‘Excellent’Award

May 2014

Science Central in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK, has been presented with a CEEQUAL ‘Excellent’ design award at the Institution of Civil Engineers awards dinner. The project, which is being delivered by Newcastle Science City1, achieved a score of 77.3% for improving sustainability in civil engineering, infrastructure, landscaping and public realm. Mott MacDonald is lead designer for phase one infrastructure.

Located on the former Scottish & Newcastle Brewery site in the centre of the city, the 24-acre mixed-use development will create new urban quarter which will become an exemplar in sustainability. It will also seek to attract leading edge scientific organisations to a new mixed community, encompassing a variety of educational, business and residential uses. It will include retail and residential space alongside state-of-the-art office and business incubator space.

Sustainability features of the project include a living green wall, rainwater harvesting, low energy LED lighting, regular community liaison and the design of high-quality public realm works that will encourage pedestrian use throughout the entire site.

Speaking of the win, Fiona Standfield, director of Newcastle Science City said: “We are delighted that Science Central has achieved this award for sustainability and would like to thank Mott MacDonald for providing the civil, structural, environmental and building engineering services for this phase of the development.”

Mott MacDonald project manager Simon Longshaw said: “The designed infrastructure for phase one integrated sustainability from the outset to meet the practical ambitions of the partnership delivering Science Central. We were able to do this within the project’s budget, and are very pleased to accept this award alongside the Science Central project team.”

The first building on Science Central, The Core, is currently under construction and is due to open for business this autumn with a further £50 million investment from Newcastle University to open a second building on site in 2017.

 

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Notes for editors:

1. Newcastle Science City is a partnership between Newcastle University and Newcastle City Council.

About Mott MacDonald

Mott MacDonald is a diverse £1.2 billion global management, engineering and sustainable development consultancy. As one of the world's largest employee-owned companies with nearly 16,000 staff, we have 180 offices in nearly 50 countries and projects in 140. We're engaged in public and private sector development across a broad range of sectors including transport, buildings, power, oil and gas, international development, urban development, industry, water, environment, education, health and communications.

More information can be found at www.mottmac.com

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Tom Smith
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Lee Lodge
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Danielle Mendel
+ 44 (0) 20 8774 2301
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About Science Central

Science Central is a 24-acre development which promises to be an international exemplar in sustainability, connecting and restoring previously run-down areas in the west end of Newcastle and creating a new urban quarter in the city centre.

With the aim of attracting hi-tech firms to locate there, project partners are committed to creating a lasting legacy at Science Central, and with the planned creation of 1,900 jobs over the next 15 to 20 years, the development will support economic growth in the area and bring a much needed boost to the local neighbourhood.

Backed by Newcastle City Council and Newcastle University, and forming part of the Newcastle Science City initiative, the development will build on the city’s existing knowledge and scientific expertise. Already acclaimed as the UK’s most sustainable city, Newcastle is recognised across the world for its expertise in sustainable sciences.

Newcastle Science Central will build on this reputation to become a new hub for businesses and research and development that will help to address important global sustainability challenges that cities now face. Our ambition is to make sure that Science Central and the scientific research happening in Newcastle, plays a leading role in transforming Newcastle into a smart future city,

At the heart of Science Central will be Newcastle University’s Institute for Research on Sustainability (NIReS), to create a unique inter-disciplinary environment for research, learning and engagement, with cutting-edge facilities for scientists and industry experts to discover and demonstrate digitally-enabled urban sustainability solutions.

Providing a heart for the key themes of work undertaken by the Science Central Partnership, project partners hope to encourage the introduction of a wide variety of scientific endeavours and enterprise alongside mixed retail and leisure uses.

More information can be found at www.newcastlesciencecentral.com