Sheffield Hallam University STEM Project

Houlton have successfully handed over the £8m refurbishment project for Sheffield Hallam University.

The University’s investment was aimed at supporting high-quality science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) teaching and research. This meant that the Sheaf and Eric Mensforth buildings had significant upgrades.

Now completed, the redevelopment will provide staff and students with the very best in learning and teaching spaces, alongside a striking new atrium which will create an impressive entranceway to the University's City Campus.

Work started on this YORbuild project over the 2015 August Bank Holiday weekend, and it involved closing off the main concourse access between the Sheaf and Eric Mensforth buildings. Work on the buildings were completed and handed over in April 2017, ahead of an official opening in October.

Improvements included the creation of a stunning new atrium linking the two buildings, with opportunities for galleries, collaborative spaces and social learning, a cutting-edge chemistry lab, and a new engineering area.

One of the main issues we faced was the restricted city centre site. Adjacent to Sheffield Train and Bus Stations, the main University Campus and busy Sheaf Street and Pond Street and Harmer Lane. We provided a 33m high luffing jib tower crane with a lifting radius of 60m. Sited on land to the south side of Sheaf Building, to allow us to reach over the building and construct the new Atrium

The Sheaf Building provides modern facilities for research and teaching across the Faculty of Art, Computing, Engineering and Sciences and the Faculty of Development and Society.

Facilities include workshops for art, design, engineering, metalwork and jewellery studios and editing suites including an animation studio and dark rooms.