STEAMhouse at Birmingham City University

on this page

STEAMhouse is our latest project for Birmingham City University, and it’s a masterpiece of collaboration in both its purpose and delivery. We have delivered an inspired fit-out for this innovative facility, using Pagabo to accelerate procurement.

The STEAMhouse innovation center is the newest gem on BCU’s city center campus. Having initially worked on the developer led shell and core contract, we have recently delivered the Cat B fit-out following appointment by Birmingham City University (BCU) as lead consultant providing multi-disciplinary services.

STEAMhouse champions innovation and collaboration

BCU’s fantastic innovation center opened in October 2022, with the aim of encouraging the collaboration of the arts, science, technology, engineering and maths (STEAM) sectors.

Home to a multi-disciplinary community of entrepreneurs, businesses, academic researchers and students, STEAMhouse - located in the University’s City Centre campus - offers a wealth of support to companies of all sizes to boost growth through innovation to address commercial and societal challenges.

The new facility provides access to state-of-the-art technology, workspaces, event spaces and business advice for people across the region, supporting the progression of new ideas and creation of long-term opportunity. The STEAMhouse Incubator and Digital Innovation Hub provides opportunities for learning, growth and collaboration for entrepreneurs and start-up businesses. The building also houses the School of Computing & Digital Technology.

Regenerating Birmingham’s Eastside

The project is great news for Birmingham’s Eastside, as it regenerates the 120-year-old derelict Belmont Works building, variously used for the manufacture of bicycle parts linen clothing, bedsteads and pianos.

The building was badly damaged by fire in 2007 and lay derelict until it became part of the Eastside Locks development plan. An extension to the rear façade has provided much-needed upgrades and exciting new spaces, but many of the original features were retained.

An inspired fit-out

STEAMhouse was originally delivered to varying degrees of fit-out, with initial shell & core and Category A fit-out allowing the university to adapt for its evolving needs and develop its strategic brief for the building’s future projects. An early Category B fit-out of the ground and first floors rendered the building operational in early 2022.

We have completed the fit-out of academic, teaching and specialist spaces as well as the extensive Category B fit-out of further areas of the building. Complexities include the need to achieve a blend of commercial utilization and teaching facilities, in a very different mix of uses from BCU’s traditional academic spaces. The challenge was to achieve adaptability via the most palatable best value cost outcomes.

The open and permeable space to be created presented technical and cost challenges with engineering/acoustic solutions and with navigation routes around the building.

During the base-build, our team developed a model capable of delivering a buildable business case solution which met the multi-stakeholder needs, satisfying the university, funding bodies and commercial users.

The flexible layouts and structural solution lent themselves to remodeling, reducing the risk of increased costs in the future. The fit-out design reflects those early precedents and the need for robust and reusable space at an affordable cost. Moveable walls and flexible furniture solutions are used to good effect, with the ITC/AV solutions designed to support adaptability.

Pagabo

We used Pagabo to deliver a complete services proposal for the fit-out, enabling early mobilization of our design team. Early contractor engagement with the shell and core contractor resulted in swifter, more robust procurement and more readily obtainable cost advice.

Jonathan Oram, Head of Services at Pagabo, said: "We're delighted to have played our part in making the STEAMhouse project happen. Our Professional Services Framework is flexible and fully compliant for Birmingham City University, making their selection process much simpler. One of our trusted suppliers, AtkinsRéalis, can be accessed through Lot 1 of this framework so they can continue to deliver outstanding projects like the STEAMhouse scheme."

Our team’s role with BCU

AtkinsRéalis team has continued to support Birmingham City University with the development of its City Centre Campus, leading on a suite of technical services, and delivering some fantastic projects including Royal Birmingham Conservatoire.

DISCLAIMER

Please note that you are now leaving the AtkinsRéalis website (legal name: AtkinsRéalis Group inc.) and entering a website maintained by a third party (the "External Website") and that you do so at your own risk.

AtkinsRéalis has no control over the External Website, any data or other content contained therein or any additional linked websites. The link to the External Website is provided for convenience purposes only. By clicking "Accept" you acknowledge and agree that AtkinsRéalis is not responsible, and does not accept or assume any responsibility or liability whatsoever for the data protection policy, the content, the data or the technical operation of the External Website and/or any linked websites and that AtkinsRéalis is not liable for the terms and conditions (or terms of use) of the External Website. Further, you acknowledge and agree that you assume all risks resulting from entering and/or using the External Website and/or any linked websites.

BY ENTERING THE EXTERNAL WEBSITE, YOU ALSO ACKNOWLEDGE AND AGREE THAT YOU COMPLETELY AND IRREVOCABLY WAIVE ANY AND ALL RIGHTS AND CLAIMS AGAINST ATKINSRÉALIS, AND RELEASE, DISCHARGE, INDEMNIFY AND HOLD HARMLESS ATKINSRÉALIS, ITS OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, DIRECTORS AND AGENTS FROM ANY AND ALL LIABILITY INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO LIABILITY FOR LOSS, DAMAGES, EXPENSES AND COSTS ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH ENTERING AND/OR USING THE EXTERNAL WEBSITE AND/OR ANY LINKED WEBSITES AND ANY DATA AND/OR CONTENT CONTAINED THEREIN.

Such waiver and release specifically includes, without limitation, any and all rights and claims pertaining to reliance on the data or content of the External Website, or claims pertaining to the processing of personal data, including but not limited to any rights under any applicable data protection statute. You also recognize by clicking “Accept” that the terms of this disclaimer are reasonable.

The information provided by Virtua Research cited herein is provided “as is” and “as available” without warranty of any kind. Use of any Virtua Research data is at a user’s own risk and Virtua Research disclaims any liability for use of the Virtua Research data. Although the information is obtained or compiled from reliable sources Virtua Research neither can nor does guarantee or make any representation or warranty, either express or implied, as to the accuracy, validity, sequence, timeliness, completeness or continued availability of any information or data, including third-party content, made available herein. In no event shall Virtua Research be liable for any decision made or action or inaction taken in reliance on any information or data, including third-party content. Virtua Research further explicitly disclaims, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any warranty of any kind, whether express or implied, including warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose and non-infringement.

The consensus estimate provided by Virtua Research is based on estimates, forecasts and predictions made by third party financial analysts, as described above. It is not prepared based on information provided by AtkinsRéalis and can only be seen as a consensus view on AtkinsRéalis' possible future results from an outside perspective. AtkinsRéalis has not provided input on these forecasts, except by referring to past publicly disclosed information. AtkinsRéalis does not accept any responsibility for the quality or accuracy of any individual or average of forecasts or estimates. This web page contains forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by third parties. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between AtkinsRéalis' actual future results, financial situation, development or performance, and the estimates given here.



25
apprentices employed during the delivery stages
15.1
million pounds local spend
58 %
of supply chain made up of local labour

Services provided:

Employer’s Agent, Contract Administration & Employer’s Agent, Sustainability, Cost & Commercial Management, Consulting & Advisory Services


DISCLAIMER

Please note that you are now leaving the AtkinsRéalis website (legal name: AtkinsRéalis Group inc.) and entering a website maintained by a third party (the "External Website") and that you do so at your own risk.

AtkinsRéalis has no control over the External Website, any data or other content contained therein or any additional linked websites. The link to the External Website is provided for convenience purposes only. By clicking "Accept" you acknowledge and agree that AtkinsRéalis is not responsible, and does not accept or assume any responsibility or liability whatsoever for the data protection policy, the content, the data or the technical operation of the External Website and/or any linked websites and that AtkinsRéalis is not liable for the terms and conditions (or terms of use) of the External Website. Further, you acknowledge and agree that you assume all risks resulting from entering and/or using the External Website and/or any linked websites.

BY ENTERING THE EXTERNAL WEBSITE, YOU ALSO ACKNOWLEDGE AND AGREE THAT YOU COMPLETELY AND IRREVOCABLY WAIVE ANY AND ALL RIGHTS AND CLAIMS AGAINST ATKINSRÉALIS, AND RELEASE, DISCHARGE, INDEMNIFY AND HOLD HARMLESS ATKINSRÉALIS, ITS OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, DIRECTORS AND AGENTS FROM ANY AND ALL LIABILITY INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO LIABILITY FOR LOSS, DAMAGES, EXPENSES AND COSTS ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH ENTERING AND/OR USING THE EXTERNAL WEBSITE AND/OR ANY LINKED WEBSITES AND ANY DATA AND/OR CONTENT CONTAINED THEREIN.

Such waiver and release specifically includes, without limitation, any and all rights and claims pertaining to reliance on the data or content of the External Website, or claims pertaining to the processing of personal data, including but not limited to any rights under any applicable data protection statute. You also recognize by clicking “Accept” that the terms of this disclaimer are reasonable.

The information provided by Virtua Research cited herein is provided “as is” and “as available” without warranty of any kind. Use of any Virtua Research data is at a user’s own risk and Virtua Research disclaims any liability for use of the Virtua Research data. Although the information is obtained or compiled from reliable sources Virtua Research neither can nor does guarantee or make any representation or warranty, either express or implied, as to the accuracy, validity, sequence, timeliness, completeness or continued availability of any information or data, including third-party content, made available herein. In no event shall Virtua Research be liable for any decision made or action or inaction taken in reliance on any information or data, including third-party content. Virtua Research further explicitly disclaims, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any warranty of any kind, whether express or implied, including warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose and non-infringement.

The consensus estimate provided by Virtua Research is based on estimates, forecasts and predictions made by third party financial analysts, as described above. It is not prepared based on information provided by AtkinsRéalis and can only be seen as a consensus view on AtkinsRéalis' possible future results from an outside perspective. AtkinsRéalis has not provided input on these forecasts, except by referring to past publicly disclosed information. AtkinsRéalis does not accept any responsibility for the quality or accuracy of any individual or average of forecasts or estimates. This web page contains forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by third parties. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between AtkinsRéalis' actual future results, financial situation, development or performance, and the estimates given here.



We are privileged to have supported Birmingham City University’s aspirations for its estate. We have successfully delivered innovative, award-winning projects with STEAMhouse being the most recent - it provides an inspirational, collaborative setting which will continue to evolve and thrive.

Mark Brain

Director & UK Higher Education Lead

The new STEAMhouse development is a building inspired by Arts and STEM, where the past meets the future, in which connectivity and collaboration are built into the heart of the design to support, empower and inspire every user to respond to a need in a superbly equipped, professional and inviting environment.

Joanna Birch

Director - Innovation Enterprise and Employability, Birmingham City University

Downloads

Trade releases