Middlesbrough Unity City Academy

Middlesbrough, UK

Project outline

One of the first Academies in the UK, Unity City Academy (UCA) is an iconic project that is transforming the learning environment in East Middlesbrough by supporting all members of the community to become confident self directed learners, with access to the people, information and technology they need to learn.

Comprehensive facilities at UCA include a spectacular lecture theatre ‘pod’, performing arts suite, sports amenities, a learning resource centre plus an internet café.

There is a heavy emphasis on Information Communication Technology (ICT) at the Academy. This provides opportunities for students to develop ‘high value’ ICT skills and knowledge, educating students for the future.

The 10,500m² development provides learning facilities for 1,400 full-time students. The building has a Schools Environmental Assessment Method (SEAM) ‘A’ rating for energy consumption, an extraordinary achievement for a deep plan building with high ICT provision.

Key aims of the Academy are to:

• Raise Achievement and Attainment
• Support Life Long Learning
• Offer diverse and flexible Learning Opportunities
• Attract more resources into the education and learning sector
• Integrate Technology and Learning
• Act as an Innovation and Development resource for other learning institutions

Contract value

£20m

Key features

• Extensive ICT infrastructure
• SEAM ‘A’ Rating for Energy consumption
• Use of low energy evaporative cooling techniques on air supply systems
• Provision of chilled beams to provide cooling to ICT areas with displacement ventilation to the LRC, both coupled to high efficiency ‘free cooling’ chiller plant to maximise energy efficiency
• Natural ventilation to perimeter areas
• Maximised daylighting coupled to lighting control systems to minimise reliance on artificial lighting
• Enhanced thermal performance of façade to minimise energy consumption
• Sprinkler fire protection

Skills utilised

• Building Services
• Lighting
• Building Acoustics
• Fire Engineering
• Security
• Highways Design