HSE International ISSUE 100 | Page 22

FACILITIES & PROPERTY MANAGEMENT: LANCASTER UNIVERSITY “Drawing on the latest research in design for higher education, the new library will respond to the needs of all students and staff both using the resources available today and future-proofed to accommodate future learning styles.” field not only for the University, but also for the northwest region and beyond.” It has been funded by the University and by substantial contributions from the Wolfson Foundation, the Garfield Weston Foundation and the J. P. Moulton Foundation. A further sum approaching £1m has been awarded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council for the first tranche of equipment and instrumentation. LIBRARY The University’s original Library building was constructed in 1967 with an extension added in 1997. The new, library refurbishment project came after 18 months of extensive planning and consultation. Award-winning architecture and building design company Sheppard Robson led the design team in carrying out the refurbishment. Throughout the design process, the architects met with a wide range of stakeholders; focus groups took place with students and academics, library, ISS and facilities staff. A dedicated focus group also addressed diversity and equality issues. The result is a building which looks, feels and operates completely differently. Work began on the refurbishment at the end of the summer term 2014 and Lancaster University worked hard to keep disruption to a minimum. The project was completed in January 2016 and Lancaster University now boasts a resource that reinf