Belfast team wins research centre design role

The Belfast division of global design alliance Connell Mott MacDonald has won two contracts that will see the company provide building services to a research and development (R&D) facility for Springvale Educational Village and a new Sonic Arts Research Centre based in Queens University.

The £4.5 million Springfield complex is the result of a joint venture between the University of Ulster and the Belfast Institute of Further and Higher Education.

The Springfield complex is an integral part of the Educational Village, which is being developed over the next five years to help regenerate the Springfield Road – an area which has traditionally suffered from under-investment and a lack of business and educational opportunities.

Connell Mott MacDonald's Tom Hamilton said: "We're delighted to have won these two building projects which aim to augment the region's facilities for the development of Information Technology. Using our in-depth experience from around the world and expertise in the building sector we can provide both clients with the benefit of the global dimension in terms of technology and best practice from a local office."

Connell Mott MacDonald - as part of the design team led by Todd Architects - will provide mechanical, electrical and structural design for the 3500 square metre greenfield development.

Meanwhile, Sonic Arts Research Laboratory for Queens University is being developed to increase the research capacity for music, computer sciences and electronic engineering within the campus. Connell Mott MacDonald's role in the development team will include the design of all mechanical and electrical services including development of the brief, feasibility study, detailed design, tender review and contract supervision. (CL)