Major projects complete at Manchester Metropolitan University

Manchester Metropolitan University has taken possession of both its flagship School of Digital Arts and The Institute of Sport buildings, projects reflecting a combined investment of more than £60m.

Set to welcome students over the coming weeks, the £35m SODA’s facilities include a digital innovation lab, green screens, edit suites, a media gallery and production studios.

Feilden Clegg Bradley designed SODA. Credit: via MMU

Due to open for teaching in January, The Institute of Sport building is home to the latest technology and equipment for the advanced study and research of sport, including an MRI scanner and extreme climate environment chamber.

Andrew Fallon, director of estates, said: “Both new buildings will differentiate our student experience, providing cutting edge study and research spaces, while helping us to meet our campus sustainability targets.”

Ground was broken on SODA in November 2019. The architect was Feilden Clegg Bradley and the contractor Kier. Barton Willmore was the planning consultant.

Contractor Eric Wright was selected in early 2020 for the Institute of Sport project, which takes up the plot formerly occupied by the students’ union. BDP designed the scheme, with the professional team also including planner Deloitte, engineer Curtins, Gardiner & Theobald and Hoare Lea.

Elsewhere within the campus, currently on site is the £45m Faculty of Science & Engineering, a part new-build, part-refurbishment of the John Dalton complex. Bowmer + Kirkland was appointed as main contractor at the end of 2020.