Plans submitted for world class acoustics centre at University of Salford
Plans have been submitted for a new Acoustics Building which would bring world-class research facilities to Crescent Salford’s innovation zone.
Housing the research, commercial and teaching activities of the University of Salford’s Acoustics Department, the 1,300m2 building would represent the second staging post in the creation of Crescent Innovation following work commencing on Salford Rise in September.
Proposed by the Crescent partnership, comprising the University of Salford, Salford City Council and ECF – a joint venture between Homes England, Legal & General and Muse– Crescent Innovation will build on existing research and development capabilities to drive further economic growth in Salford and facilitate enhanced links between academia, research and business.
Crescent Innovation forms one aspect of the wider £2.5bn, 240-acre Crescent Salford masterplan being delivered by the Crescent partnership which will bring together industry, education, and the local community by creating more than 3,000 homes, 1m sq ft of office, retail, and leisure space, a new multi-model transport hub, and vast areas of greenspace.
Morgan Sindall Construction has been appointed as the main contractor to deliver the Acoustics Building, having previously collaborated with the university on the creation of multiple new learning environments including the North of England Robotics Innovation Centre.
Salford’s world-class acoustic facilities are designed to meet the highest technical specifications and the requirements of measurement standards. Each space will be supported by one of the largest acoustics research groups in the world and the hands-on expertise of specialist technical staff.
In line with the latest sustainability standards, the all-electric building will target a BREEAM rating of ‘Excellent’ and utilise low-energy and low-carbon technologies to minimise energy consumption and reduce the carbon footprint of the building.
Within the 29-acre Crescent Innovation area, which lies north of the university’s Peel Park campus, the building will be located on a former industrial site on Lissadel Street.
If planning permission is granted, work is anticipated to start on-site in summer 2025 and complete in spring 2027.
