The University of Manchester’s Engineering Campus Development (MECD) will be a landmark that celebrates engineering within the world’s first modern city. Once complete, MECD will be the new home to the University’s four engineering schools and two research institutes from the Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences.

The scheme boasts 70,590 m2 of interactive learning environments, flexible labs, and bespoke project areas with cutting-edge technologies to support innovation, creativity and collaboration on a completely new scale.

The new campus will heighten the visibility and accessibility to the University’s activities in engineering and the applied sciences, facilitating a stronger engagement with industry, local schools and the wider public.

Integrating architecture, interior and landscape, Mecanoo’s design will deliver an inspiring, highly flexible first-class teaching and research environment that transforms the way in which the University educates future engineers.

MECD will have a strong identity that reflects Manchester’s past, present and future – a city of pioneers, continued to be led by discovery. The design is driven by the core principles of visibility of activities, technology, permeability, urban continuity and craftsmanship.

As a gateway between the existing University of Manchester campus and the city, MECD’s open character will attract people to the facilities and showcase the activities within. A palette of simple and honest materials, like brick and steel, is combined with a strong articulation of form and clear structural expression across the facade.