Work progressing well on Manchester Metropolitan University’s world-class Institute of Sport
Chapman Taylor has been appointed as Executive Architect by Main Contractor, Eric Wright Construction to deliver the new Manchester Metropolitan University Institute of Sport.
Sustainable and responsible design is a key focus for the project, which is at the heart of the MMU campus, reducing the carbon footprint by repurposing the existing building on Oxford Road and targeting a SKA ‘Silver’ rating overall. The completed scheme will provide the very latest technology and equipment for the advanced study and research of sport.
Chapman Taylor is leading the design team and specialist trade contractors to develop the detailed design information for construction, using BIM to create a coordinated 3D model for the project. The role involves developing the design of the bespoke façade system and a specialist internal fit-out to accommodate the state-of-the-art facilities.
Combining The University’s leading sport research and teaching, the Institute of Sport will be an international centre of excellence and opportunity in sport-related education. Encompassing sport and exercise science, sport medicine and sport policy, business and law, the Institute will reinforce Manchester’s status as a global leading sports centre and a fantastic home for sport students.
Credit: Our studio
The Institute’s approach will transcend traditional discipline boundaries to develop academic excellence across sport-related research and knowledge exchange, academic programmes, key partnerships, internationalisation and community health and wellbeing initiatives, with the ambition to be a leading authority on everything sport, health and fitness-related – from research into elite performance to building community exercise programmes from the grass roots up.
The Institute takes a broad, interdisciplinary view of sports-related research. Activities are informed by specialisms including anatomy, biomechanics, coaching, diet and nutrition, exercise science, physiology, physiotherapy and psychology – even the role of sport in community engagement and urban regeneration. Courses in sport business, policy, law, management and marketing are taught from the University’s triple-accredited Business School.
In conjunction with the university’s Platt Lane Sports Complex, the Institute of Sport will provide outstanding, purpose-built teaching spaces. Students will be taught in modern labs and seminar rooms with access to specialist facilities such as cycle ergometer workstations. Other facilities include advanced medical imaging with a 3 Tesla MRI scanner, human performance laboratories, an environmental chamber which simulates high altitude and extreme temperatures and a 3D performance capture hall to analyse and improve elite sports performance.
The new Institute of Sport is currently under construction and is due to complete in 2022. The redevelopment is part of the university's ambitious campus transformation programme, set to be carried out over the coming years.