Plymouth University takes delivery of new Marine Building

It will also be home to the UK’s broadest Marine Institute, a world class team of researchers and scientists who cover almost every major sea-related discipline including oceanography, hydrography, marine biology and coastal ecology, as well as engineering, shipping, and professional development for the navigation industry.

Rob Bradley, Regional Director of Leadbitter, the construction firm who carried out the complex 19-month project, presented the ‘keys’ to Vice-Chancellor Professor Wendy Purcell today (Friday).
Professor Purcell said: “Our new Marine Building is a landmark development for the University, the City and the region, and provides a suite of research and teaching facilities to support our world-class academic community and enrich the student experience.

“The equipment, and technical and research expertise we have here, will catalyse the marine and maritime sectors, and help attract leading researchers and commercial clients. In fact, we have already signed up our first international marine renewables tenant company. This shows how the University plays a key role in attracting vital inward investment into the marine economy and is at the heart of the South West Marine Energy Park.”

The centre-piece of the building will be the Coastal Ocean and Sediment Transport (COaST) laboratories, home to a number of wave tanks and flumes, where engineers will be able to test devices using different simulated wave, current and wind conditions.

It will also contain a Marine Navigation Centre, with a full mission bridge simulator to enable students to ‘pilot’ a huge variety of vessels – from super tankers to yachts – in a range of international destinations, complete with an electronic chart suite.

Professor Richard Gibb, Dean of the Faculty of Science and Technology, and Pro Vice-Chancellor, said: “It is fitting that this handover should coincide with World Oceans Day. Our researchers and scientists are working across the globe on issues relevant to the health of our seas – from acidification and its consequences for sea-life, to coastal erosion, flood risk and the impact of renewable energy technologies upon the environment.”

The five-storey building has been constructed to extremely high standards of sustainability. Built from around 500 tonnes of steel, 4.8 kilometres of cable and 300 cubic metres of recycled aggregate, it boasts special features that make use of solar gain, natural ventilation and rainwater harvesting to cut down on its energy consumption.

It has attracted funding from the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC), South West Regional Development Agency (SWRDA) and the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE). It will be officially opened in September.