The University of Southampton Science Park held a topping-out ceremony for its new Engineering Centre, due to complete in early 2022. Construction work on the project began in May 2021 and is carried out by privately-owned Midas Construction.
The Engineering Centre will enhance collaboration opportunities for the University of Southampton Science Park and local business in the area. It will house the Future Towns Innovation Hub, backed by the Enterprise M3 LEP (EM3), which will deliver a joint industry academic Centre of Excellence by bringing together cutting-edge ideas, commercial expertise and state-of-the-art research laboratories.
"The Science Park is already a magnet for the commercialisation of research and new technologies in the M3 corridor, and it is therefore uniquely positioned to host this new facility, and to create further collaboration opportunities through our networks. I’m absolutely confident that the positive societal impacts arising from this new centre will resonate significantly beyond our boundaries and for generations to come", said Dr Robin Chave, CEO, Southampton Science Park.
Michael Queen, Chair of Enterprise M3 LEP, added: "EM3 is committed to ensuring our towns can meet the demands of the modern world by providing a sustainable, high quality of life for all those who live and work in them.
"The Future Towns Innovation Hub will offer world-leading, engineering research excellence from the University of Southampton to business partners and town leaders to provide opportunities and practical solutions to real problems, including some of our greatest environmental challenges."
EM3 is funding almost £3 million from the Government’s Local Growth Fund along with £1.5m from Research England to support the £14m project, which will focus on addressing challenges of energy efficient housing, water conservation, sustainable transport, carbon neutral waste management and recycling, and improving health outcomes.
Steve Lee, Divisional Director for the Southern Division of Midas Construction, said: "We’re immensely pleased to have been able to gather with project partners to celebrate this milestone moment for what is a truly exciting development. Marking the topping out of a new building is a fine tradition, and we look forward to completing the construction phase of the Engineering Centre."
About Southampton Science Park
Base for 100 companies, Southampton Science Park is the South of England’s home to successful science and technology businesses. It is closely linked to the University of Southampton.
Southampton Science Park runs the self-funded Catalyst business accelerator programme, which has supported 65 companies and secured over £25m early-stage funding for participant companies
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