University’s new Spectra building scoops up two regional construction awards
The University of Hertfordshire’s cutting-edge ‘Spectra’ building – the new home of its School of Physics, Engineering and Computer Science – earned the University two prestigious accolades at last week’s Herts and Beds Constructing Excellence Awards.
Awarded alongside Morgan Sindall Construction, the organisations collaboratively scooped up Project of the Year for the £100m, five-storey Spectra building, which took two years to construct, while Herts was further awarded Client of the Year.
Project of the Year celebrates inspirational projects that deliver outstanding outcomes that “exemplify the Constructing Excellence principles and fully align with the collaborative work we are undertaking with the Construction Leadership Council.” The Client of the Year award recognises exceptional clients who are actively involved in delivering important construction programmes and developing strategies for encouraging and rewarding excellence.
Ian Grimes, Director of Estates at the University of Hertfordshire, said:
“We are incredibly proud that the Spectra building and our exceptional Estates team here at Herts has been recognised with both Project of the Year and Client of the Year at the Herts and Beds Constructing Excellence Awards. This achievement reflects the University’s commitment to creating world-class facilities that empower innovation, collaboration, and academic excellence. Spectra is more than just a building, it’s a transformative space that brings together our brightest minds in physics, engineering, and computer science, and equips them with the tools to shape the future.”
The new Spectra building, which opened for this academic year in September 2024, brings together the University’s physics, engineering and computer science departments, facilities, equipment and knowledge into one place for the first time.
Kitted out with some of the highest spec equipment available, new facilities include two dedicated physics laboratories; two isolated cyber systems rooms that allow cyber security students to test themselves against cyber-attack; a £2 million suite of wind tunnels; a strong floor to help test material strength; new robotics labs and a robot football pitch for developing and testing autonomous robot behaviour; flight simulators that can land in any airport across the world have also been installed, alongside a welding bay and controls testing suite, plus two Caterham lightweight sports cars and a Tesla for use in autonomous vehicle design.
Emma Curtis, Area Director at Morgan Sindall Construction said:
“We are hugely proud of our work on the Spectra building and were thrilled it was recognised as Project of the Year. The University of Hertfordshire receiving Client of Year was more than deserved; the success of this scheme was very much down to the collaborative nature of the team from the outset. This close working relationship with the University and AtkinsRéalis, along with taking an innovative approach to the project, was vital to ensure students, researchers and future experts are equipped with the capabilities they need.”
The Herts and Beds Constructing Excellence Awards are a prestigious regional celebration of innovation, collaboration, and best practice in the construction industry across Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire. Part of the wider Constructing Excellence faction in the UK, these awards aim to drive positive change by recognising outstanding projects, organisations, and individuals who are pushing the boundaries of what construction can achieve.
Richard Tavener of RDT Architects, Chairman of the Herts & Beds Constructing Excellence Club, praised the University of Hertfordshire and the Spectra building, saying:
“The ‘Client of the Year’ and ‘Building Project of the Year’ Awards celebrate inspirational clients and projects that deliver outstanding outcomes - initiatives that exemplify the principles of Constructing Excellence and the power of collaborative working. The judges selected the University of Hertfordshire and the Spectra building as this year’s winners for their exceptional vision and execution.
Spectra stands out as an inspirational space for current and future students. Its design embraces evolving working patterns by offering more social, flexible areas and fewer enclosed rooms. Prioritising energy efficiency, the building exceeds Part L requirements, reflecting a commitment to sustainability and long-term performance.
The University of Hertfordshire demonstrated exemplary leadership as a client, focusing on stakeholder needs through transparency, open dialogue, and strong collaboration with both consultants and contractors. Early engagement with the delivery team, combined with the use of BIM and physical mock-ups, played a crucial role in finalising the design and selecting materials.
The Herts & Beds CE Club had the privilege of visiting the Spectra building and fully agrees with the judges’ decision – this is a truly exceptional project and a very deserving recipient of these prestigious awards.”
The University has recently launched its Clearing webpages, offering prospective students the chance to explore a wide range of courses in physics, engineering, and computer science subjects, and to find out more about the industry-mirroring facilities and equipment available within the Spectra building.