The University of Salford has been given the green light to build a new state-of-the-art acoustics building in the Crescent Salford innovation zone.
The 1,300 sq m (circa 14,000 sq ft) facility will house the research, commercial and teaching activities of the university’s acoustics group.
Morgan Sindall Construction has been appointed to deliver the building and it is anticipated that work will begin on site this summer and take around 18 months to complete.
The acoustics building will sit in Crescent Innovation, which forms part of the wider £2.5bn, 240-acre Crescent Salford masterplan being delivered by the Crescent Partnership, which comprises the University of Salford, Salford City Council and ECF – a joint venture between Homes England, L&G and Muse.
Claire Lomax, director of the National Institute of Airborne Acoustic Metrology at the University of Salford, said: “The whole acoustics team at Salford are thrilled planning consent has been granted for this globally unique building. Every person on earth is affected by what they can or cannot hear, which is why acoustics as a science is so significant.
“To have this facility in Salford shows the university’s commitment to innovation to enrich lives – in this case through pioneering research, impacting policy and industry standards, and shaping products sold worldwide.”
Max Bentham, development director at ECF, added: “With plans now approved for the acoustics building, we’re looking forward to this state-of-the-art facility coming to life and bringing world-class research potential to Crescent Innovation. The highly sustainable building will function as a training hub for the next generation of acoustics experts, offering cutting-edge research facilities aimed at enhancing quality of life by reducing the harm caused by noise. Bringing industry and education together, it will further cement Salford as a leader in this field.
“With Salford Rise on site and work on Willohaus set to complete next year, the approval of plans for the acoustics building marks an exciting next step in the creation of the Crescent Salford masterplan. As momentum builds, the vision is becoming a reality.”
Steven Gregory, Morgan Sindall Construction’s area director for the North West, said: “We’re very proud to be part of the team that will deliver another world-class facility for Salford University and the wider Crescent Salford innovation zone. We can’t wait to get started in the summer. In our delivery of other projects on campus, we have developed a close, collaborative working relationship with the university. On this latest scheme, we will again ensure our presence brings wider benefits to the university’s students as well as the wider Salford community.”
