North East Futures UTC

SES made a welcome return, along with main contractor Galliford Try, to the ambitious city centre development to work on the construction of the new 5,030sqm North East Futures UTC (University Technical College).

University Technical Colleges are a new type of secondary school specifically designed for the 14-19 age group and are sponsored by a university.   North East Futures UTC is sponsored by the University of Sunderland and has partnerships with all five north east universities.

On previous visits to site, SES was responsible for installing a full range of building services on The Rocket, a multi-storey office block, the four-star Crowne Plaza Hotel and Spa – a jewel in Newcastle’s burgeoning leisure sector – and a multi-storey car park.  Work on Stephenson Quarter has led to the significant regeneration of a key site in the city.

Constructed over five-storeys, the UTC is attached to the Hawthorn Engineering Works, a historic Georgian building, which played a key role in the North East’s contribution to development of the railways and also home to the world-famous Robert Stephenson and Company.

Catering for up to 600 pupils, the UTC has a specialist focus on teaching health sciences, robotics and IT.  As such, the building requires state-of the-art building services, which led to SES’ initial appointment.

While on site, SES overcame challenges such as connecting a historic building with the new build element.  A lecture theatre was also created within the Hawthorn Engineering Works, whilst in an unusual move stemming from land constraints, a rooftop multi-use games area also features on the new build element.

SES started on site in early April with completion of works scheduled for this August.

The North East Futures UTC project was also the recipient of a Highly Commended at the RISE Awards 2018 in the Heritage and Restoration category.