ISG completes refurbishment of the School of Healthcare Sciences for Cardiff University

Revised 23/04/2024

ISG has completed its latest refurbishment project for Cardiff University, delivering the relocation of its School of Healthcare Sciences. The new bespoke facility enables students to develop the clinical and non-technical skills required to become healthcare professionals.

We were appointed to the project through the South East and Mid Wales Collaborative Construction (SEWSCAP) framework to develop a facility that would enhance the teaching and research capabilities of Cardiff University, and reinforce its position as a leading UK university.

Our primary focus for the 47-week project was to refurbish Block 2 and Block 4 of the former Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) site adjacent to University Hospital of Wales, a teaching hospital of Cardiff University. The redevelopment offers more space for teaching and research, encouraging students to apply theory to practice.

During the process of refurbishment, we took possession of the buildings from shell. Our first task was to remove all existing windows and enlarge the openings at lintel level to create larger openings to incorporate louvres for new mechanical ventilation systems, the building in its original form only being designed for natural ventilation.

From this point we installed new windows throughout and constructed the new lift shaft and plant room extensions including rooves to create a weathertight building. This naturally progressed into full MEP and finishes fit out inclusive of new gas fired boilers, VRF and MVHR units, small power, and lighting distribution, structed cabling and audio visual, along with healthcare specific services such as nurse call systems and medical gases.

The fit out design incorporated a blend of occupational therapy suites, mock wards and other practical facilities, enhanced student common room areas, seminar rooms and training spaces along with facilities i.e. WCs, store rooms and service cupboards. Through implementing many high-tech manufacturing standards along with support of excavation value engineering elements we were able to seamlessly create state-of-the-art mock hospital wards that closely replicated the highest healthcare standards for students. This resulted in the finished space representing an even split between university research space and mock hospital facilities.

Support for Cardiff’s first responders

We pledged to carry out several social value initiatives during the project works. A key event we held was a full training day on site for emergency services staff, involving Cardiff University school of medical sciences students. In preparation for the training day, disused cars were brought to site from a scrapyard, which were piled on top of each other to simulate a traffic accident. We assisted in the university conducting a number of role play scenarios across several days, which involved actors as part of the training.

This allowed medical students to experience how they would treat injured patients involved in traffic accidents. The initiative was extremely beneficial to Cardiff University students, who gained invaluable experience, with exposure to learning experiences in a safe, simulated environment.

Enabling future research

The official opening for the new School of Healthcare Sciences took place in December 2023, with Cardiff University now welcoming students to the new facility.

Speaking on the success of the project, Nick Furzeland, ISG’s operations manager expressed: “We are thrilled to announce the completion of our refurbishment project for Cardiff University’s School of Healthcare Sciences. The refurbishment provides state-of-the-art facilities for students to be outstanding healthcare professionals, fulfilling their potential. Cardiff University is delighted with the completed project, and its ambition demonstrates a continued commitment to deliver exceptional learning spaces for its students.”

Continued success...

We have previously completed three projects for Cardiff University, with the most recent being The Abacaws Building in 2021, which brought its School of Mathematics and School of Computer Science and Informatics under one roof. We delivered a purpose-built, creative environment with world-leading facilities for students, located beside Cardiff University’s central campus.

As part of the regeneration of Cardiff’s Central Square we also constructed an outstanding facility for The Cardiff School of Journalism, Media and Cultural Studies (JOMEC), as part of our Plot 2 project. Whilst we also created the Cardiff Business School (CARBS), a state-of-the-art, postgraduate facility, which included an impressive AV integrated trading room that provides real time monitoring of world markets and shares.

The success of these four projects, demonstrates the strong relationship we have with Cardiff University and our commitment to delivering spaces that allows their students and researchers to thrive.

A trio of award shortlists

Since completion of the project, the new School of Healthcare Sciences has been shortlisted and has won a number of Welsh industry accolades in Education Building Wales, Construction Excellence Wales, and the Insider Wales Awards.

At the Education Building Wales Awards, the project won the ‘Refurbishment of the Year’ and ‘Inspiring Learning Spaces’ whilst it was also a finalist in the ‘Client of the Year’ category. It also was a finalist in both the Construction Excellence Wales Awards where it was nominated for ‘Regeneration & Retrofit’, and at the Insider Wales Awards in the ‘Sustainability’ category.

Well done to the team for their wins at Education Building Wales, and for being named finalists across the awards.