Imperial College London - Skempton Reach Out Laboratory
Consistently rated amongst the world's leading universities, Imperial College London is a science-based institution with a reputation for excellence in teaching and research. They teach 238 courses to 13,019 students from 158 countries.
Project Description:
We were appointed to provide a 'One Stop Shop' service to design, manage and deliver a unique laboratory to inspire school children with science.
This project was driven by Professor Lord Robert Winston, whose hope is that other universities may be encouraged to follow the Reach Out Lab's model with their local schools nationwide.
This new facility aims to excite children, with teaching and practical experience of experiments in the five key STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) areas to encourage them to study science at A-level and University.
Working with the Imperial College team, Riley Consulting was provided with a brief to design and deliver a multifunctional laboratory that engaged children with science. The facility was re-designed to include a separate, but linkable laboratory and seminar space which is capable of holding up to 35 people.
Facilities include:
- Bespoke window graphics with learning facts
- Lockers based on the periodic table
- Bespoke furniture to create flexibility and maximise storage
- Audio visuals with smart and promethean boards
- Video conferencing to provide the latest teaching methods and engage others at a distance
- Fixed and mobile fume cupboards with 360˚ CCTV viewing to allow projected demonstrations.
Riley Consulting has been congratulated by Imperial College for satisfying and exceeding the Client brief. Working as a 'One Stop Shop' we provided quantity surveying, employer's agent, M&E design and cost, CDMC and design, structural engineering, building control and all surveys, which improved the co-ordination of the design and resulted in clearer tender documentation and understanding of the project specification.
The project was delivered on time, within budget and was opened by Lord Mandelson in March. A post project review has been undertaken to capture the benefits of this project and to take these forward on others.
