Developers have released birds eye images of UCLan’s new £35million Engineering Innovation Centre (EIC) as the project nears completion.

The building, which dominates the skyline, forms a key part of the University’s £200 million masterplan to make a step change in producing locally trained graduates in areas including aerospace, mechanical and energy technologies and engineering.

Staff, students, and companies within the region will have access to top of the range equipment including flight simulators, Formula One cars and specialist electronic labs.

Designed by architects SimpsonHaugh, Manchester-based BAM Construction is scheduled to complete the building during the Spring.

Read more: Preston’s’s engineering centre is nearing completion

UCLan’s Michael Ahern, Chief Operating Officer, said: “These latest images clearly show the rapid progress being made to complete this much-anticipated facility.

“It will be fantastic for Preston to be home to such a modern, innovative building which will be a real hive of activity. Beyond being a world-class teaching and research facility, it’s going to be a real asset to the City and the people of Preston, as well as Lancashire and the North West as a whole.”

Simon Atkinson, Project Manager at BAM, said: “The EIC is going to be an integral part of inspiring and supporting new generations of engineers and shaping the future of skills development in that sector. Having trained and given work to many generations of engineers at BAM, the building is close to our hearts.”

Identified as a signature project within Lancashire’s Strategic Economic Plan, the EIC has secured £10.5 million via the Lancashire Enterprise Partnerships’ Growth Deal with the Government. The new facility has also received £5.8 million from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and £5 million from HEFCE’s STEM Capital Fund.

Read more: See more about UCLan’s Adelphi Square development

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