Nottingham University unveils plans for new biosciences building

  The University of Nottingham has unveiled plans for a new biosciences building at its agricultural campus in Sutton Bonington which will be the largest prefabricated straw bale construction project in the UK.    The £5.3m building has been designed by Make architects.     The structure comprises a reinforced concrete frame which will be clad using straw bale units made from an internal finished timber skin, a compressed straw centre and rendered external panels.  The straw and timber are both being sourced locally from the University’s own farmland.   Housing a combination of laboratories and office space, the building will bring together the School of Biosciences and the School of Veterinary and Medical Sciences for the first time.    On completion in summer of 2011, it will be used as a teaching and research facility by the University’s School of Veterinary Science department.   Herbert Baggaley Construction is building the scheme.   lisa.pilkington@estatesgazette.com