Great structural engineering definitely has a part to play in great education. Huge leaps forward in technology, changes in curriculum and an ever-increasing number of fields of study has put the onus on structures that better support new ways of learning. Whether we’re designing to support an Innovative Learning Environment, creating a research facility or retrofitting an iconic institution, we bring a deep understanding of the way structural design best supports teaching and learning.

Our approach to education projects starts with working to understand the people that matter most in this kind of development—the students and teachers who will be using the facility. Often, our structural designs will need to have flexibility for future changes in the event that pedagogical needs change. We’ve created large wide spans defined by open spaces and breakout areas, without losing sight of the fact that those spaces, or parts of them, might need to be closed off as the thinking in the sector evolves.

As always, we aim for sustainable design, working hard to minimise the use of materials and make the best use of natural light and thermal flow. Because our education projects so often take place on functioning campuses, we’re experts in streamlining designs to reduce construction times and disruptions. We know how to deliver on project programmes unfolding in the context of time and budgetary pressures—a big part of the reason we’re the engineers of choice for education projects all over the country.