Appointed under the OGC framework as part of Gardiner and Theobald's consultant team, Curtins provided structural, civil and environmental services for the new School of Forensic Sciences, at the University of Central Lancashire.

This 4 storey, new build structure is to provide approximately 3,000 sq m of accommodation, including teaching laboratories, specialist research laboratories, and write up space and office accommodation.

Located on the City Centre campus in Preston, the design was developed to a relatively short program to suit the building delivery requirements of the University.

With an aspiration to achieve a BREEAM ‘Excellent'rating, intense design collaboration was required within the team the meet the specific challenges associated with a science building achieving such rare recognition.

Various forms of renewable energy sources were reviewed, including energy piles to provide ground source heating through a closed loop system.

The main structural frame is set to a large grid to suit the laboratory accommodation and has been detailed as a steel frame working compositely with precast concrete slabs.

Large atrium spaces are located in the heart of the building to help with natural daylight penetration and natural ventilation to the office areas.

A significant transfer structure is present at first floor level, along with two elevations of retaining wall, to support an existing earth banking sloping up towards the adjacent highway.

Works also included a link bridge structure, forming an access on 3 floors to the existing Maudland building. New openings are formed in the existing façade which included the removal of several existing columns and associated strengthening works.