Shepherd has secured a £14.7m contract to build a new design centre at Loughborough University.

Work is due to start in March on the new 7,555m² Design Centre, and is set to achieve a minimum of BREEAM very good rating. Following a 65-week construction programme, the project is scheduled to be completed in June 2011.

The East Park Design Centre will include state-of-the-art modelling, prototyping, visualisation and display facilities as well as research and lecture spaces, computer suites, offices and café, surrounded by hard and soft landscaping.

The design for the centre will involve extensive use of zinc cladding, roofing and curtain walling, and a concrete frame with exposed soffits throughout.

This will be the third project at Loughborough University for Shepherd, having previously completed work on the swimming pool and the national cricket academy.

Loughborough University project manager Ian Woodhouse said:

“Loughborough University is delighted to appoint Shepherd Construction to another exciting development project."

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