14 February 2012
University announces major extension to Medical School
The University of Dundee is set to redevelop the School of Medicine at Ninewells with a major extension and refurbishment.
The project forms phase two of an £11million programme to upgrade facilities at the Medical School, which is consistently rated as one of the top performing medical schools in the UK.
This phase of the project will see a new extension built on the north side of the Ninewells building and refurbishment of existing library and teaching space.
"We are absolutely committed to further enhancing the student experience at Dundee to ensure that we continue to provide the highest quality education for tomorrow's doctors," said Professor John Connell, Vice-Principal of the University and Head of the College of Medicine, Dentistry and Nursing. "Part of that is making sure that we have first class facilities to match the quality of our teaching, which is consistently rated very highly.
"To that end we have begun a three-phase approach to revamping the accommodation we have on the campus at Ninewells. In the first phase, which has been completed, we have created new seminar rooms and built a world class clinical simulation area, a facility that was opened in November 2011. This work was supported by a major grant from the Dow Trust.
"Phase 2 includes a new-build development on the site at Ninewells which will provide us with state-of-the-art IT and electronic teaching facilities. There will also be redevelopment work to give us a major upgrade on existing accommodation. One result of all of this is that we will, for the first time, be able to bring the Centre for Medical Education right into the heart of the School. The CME is a key for us in delivering education programmes internationally and the School as a whole will benefit from having it right in the centre of our operations.
"In phase 3 of the project we will completely upgrade our lecture theatres. We are very highly regarded internationally and what we are doing with this project is providing the level of facilities that will allow us to build on our reputation, and put us in good shape for years to come."
At the same time the School continues to build on its international reputation as a centre for research excellence, particularly in the areas of cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, neuroscience and skin diseases.
The project is an £11.2million investment; funds have already been committed by the University, the NHS in Tayside, NES Education Scotland and key local donors such as the Dow, Leng and Mathew Trusts. Further fundraising is required and will be the subject of a major campaign over the next year.
The aim is to have all phases completed by 2014/15.
The frontage of the new building, which will be visible from the public path leading from the multi-storey car park to the main entrance at Ninewells, will be adorned with artwork by Janice Aitken, a lecturer from Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design, who won the competition to design transparent panels which illustrate an aspect of medical research.
"I was delighted that my designs were chosen to be included in this important new building," said Janice. "It is a privilege to have my work incorporated into the fabric of the Ninewells campus, where it will be seen not only by staff and students inside the new building but by those using the hospital itself. I hope that it will enhance their experience of visiting what is an extremely important place in the life of our community."
The panels depict different elements of a eukaryotic cell, a basic building block of the human body. They were created using a combination of 3D animation software and digital painting. The colours have been chosen to create a vibrant and positive atmosphere both outside and within the building.
Work on phase 2 of the development will begin next month. A £4.1million contract for the work has been awarded to ISG, the main contractor who are currently involved in the first phase of a major £45 million regeneration scheme at Mill O'Mains in Dundee for Home Scotland.
Over the course of the project, a 600 sq m steel frame extension will be built on the north side of the building to provide additional teaching accommodation at the renowned facility. The contractor will also refurbish and rationalise approximately 1,500 sq m of existing teaching, administration and library accommodation on levels 7 and 8 of the medical library, and integrated teaching areas and IT suites will also be refurbished.
ISG's Andy Mallice, managing director - Scotland, commented, "ISG is committed to utilising the skills and expertise of local businesses wherever it can, and our success with this significant win is set to secure job opportunities for subcontractors and the local supply chain in Dundee."
The University employed Gardiner & Theobald as project managers to co-ordinate a design team lead by Archial Ingenium, who had undertaken the feasibility study for phase 2 works. The project has registered to be assessed with an environmental assessment scheme to prove its sustainability credentials
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University of Dundee
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