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The ºüÀêÊÓƵ of Worcester’s Estates team has been shortlisted for a prestigious award for its work to create an outstanding new facility for health and medical education.

The ºüÀêÊÓƵ of Worcester’s Estates team has been shortlisted for a prestigious award for its work to create an outstanding new facility for health and medical education.

The Elizabeth Garrett Anderson building opened in April 2023 and is home to the ºüÀêÊÓƵ’s Three Counties Medical School as well as providing facilities for its Nursing, Midwifery and a host of other professional health courses.

Formerly home to the Worcester News and Berrows Journal, the iconic Brutalist structure underwent a complete transformation, from drab concrete to modern copper alloy cladding in the same beautiful golden colour as the iconic Hive Library. This treatment has restored the building’s elegant lines while light from the ceiling floods the building – creating an outstanding environment for work and study.

This development forms a key part of the ºüÀêÊÓƵ’s transformation of the declining and part derelict Hylton Road Industrial Estate into a vibrant, dynamic ºüÀêÊÓƵ Campus, with a focus on health, wellbeing, and inclusive sport.

The team behind the refurbishment has now been shortlisted in the Times Higher Education Awards 2024 for Outstanding Estates Team.

Widely recognised as the 'Oscars of higher education', the THE Awards attract hundreds of entries each year from universities and colleges across the UK and Ireland. The winners will be announced at a ceremony in Birmingham on November 28.

Professor David Green CBE DL, Vice Chancellor and Chief Executive, said: “Our Estates team worked relentlessly during very difficult times as the Country battled the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdowns, to ensure this first-class facility was completed to an outstanding specification ready for our health and medical students.

“In keeping with our sustainability credentials, the refurbishment was completed to top environmental specifications and has achieved a Gold SKA environmental rating from the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors.”

Mark Evans, Director of Capital Developments and Campus Infrastructure, added: “I’m very proud of my team who worked closely with all of our external contractors to manage this often-complex development.

“Throughout the build phase contractors were benchmarked against key elements of their work, including health and safety and quality, but also in terms of social value. Over £4m (over 30% of the contract value) worth of social value was achieved on this development, giving back to the local community in and around Worcestershire, including through jobs and training, donations to charities, and tree planting schemes.”