Stakeholders cut ribbon at new GMIoT base at University of Salford

The £14.3 million GMIoT building is the latest of the University of Salford’s Campus Connectivity Plan projects to be delivered. It will be used as a central hub by the GMIoT’s further education college partners and by the many employers engaged with the GMIoT including BBC, Laing O’Rourke, GCHQ and Siemens. 

Students will use the building for higher-level, real world technical education and training in sectors including construction, engineering, computing, creative media, business and health sciences. 

Designed by jm architects the building was completed on budget and on time. The low carbon 1840 m² building features a green roof with photovoltaic panels to generate renewable energy, alongside a green living wall supported by rainwater harvesting. Inside there are spaces to support learning, including flexible digital labs, a prototyping workshop and ICT studios. 

RHS Bridgewater have added a peace and wellbeing garden at the rear of the GMIoT which was co-designed with students at the University for everyone to enjoy. It features attractive planting and a bespoke pergola with seating which can be used all year round. 

Jo Purves, Pro Vice-Chancellor Partnerships and Global Engagement at the University of Salford, said: “It was great to be part of this celebration, and we are delighted to have created a space where we know the students and staff will love to spend time. It’s been beautifully delivered by Tilbury Douglas and envisioned by jmarchitects who have created a place which not only meets the highest education standards but is welcoming and accessible for all.” 

Claire Foreman, Director of the GMIoT, stated: “It’s great to celebrate the completion of this dedicated GMIoT building at the heart of the University of Salford campus. As a hub for our students, employers and education partners, the centre will play a vital role in providing technical education at Levels 4 and 5 across Greater Manchester. Our region’s economy is expanding rapidly, yet skills gaps remain. Designed alongside industry for industry, the courses and the added enrichment we will deliver here will help to create and sustain strong talent pipelines exactly where needed the most.”

Martin Horne, Regional Director NW for Tilbury Douglas said: “We are incredibly proud to have partnered with the University of Salford on the delivery of the new GMIoT building. This high-quality, sustainable facility will help to equip students across Greater Manchester with the skills and confidence needed to access meaningful careers, including in construction. It has been a pleasure to collaborate with the University and GMIoT stakeholder partners to bring this vision to life.”

RHS Communities Programme Manager Andrew Swarbrick said: “It's been fantastic to engage with the University and students in the design and creation of the green space and we look forward to delivering outdoor wellbeing sessions in the garden over the summer.”

Dave Shoreman, Associate for jmarchitect’s said: “We are delighted with the positive response that GMIoT has received to date which acknowledges and rewards the true spirit of collaboration that has been evident from day one across the whole project team, commencing with the early design stages through to the completed building. It is this shared and clear vision that has led to this moment, and we cannot wait to see the building and landscape continue to blossom in the years ahead as students, staff and visitors use this facility.” 

Courses taught at the GMIoT are shaped with guidance from industry partners, who advise where skills gaps exist to ensure that students are spending their time in meaningful training with good employment opportunities at the end of their studies.  

The University’s support for the GMIoT is part of its wider mission to help deliver accessible high-quality training to people in Salford and Greater Manchester, as well as clear job opportunities. The site is part of the University’s Campus Connectivity Plan which is the major redevelopment of its research, teaching and public spaces. The new building is part of the wider Crescent Salford Masterplan in which the University is a partner along with Salford City Council and English Cities Fund.