£40m Digital Life building handed over to Teesside University
The new building offers state-of-the-art facilities to the School of Computing, Engineering & Digital Technologies
We are delighted to share that our latest project with Teesside University, the state-of-the-art Digital Life Building, has been handed over to the university, marked with an opening night dinner for all involved.
The new £40m teaching and learning facility provides a focal point for the School of Computing, Engineering & Digital Technologies at the university and provides digital teaching and learning spaces, along with animation and digital fabrication spaces on the campus in Middlesbrough.
The 4,985m² building covers four-floors and will provide students with state-of-the-art technology in smart labs, digital art studios featuring AI robotics, VR, VFX and animation suites and a multi-functional auditorium, which provides space for 750 people. Digital Life is a catalyst for physical and digital collaboration and study, simulating an industry-quality digital studio experience for students, business and visitors.
Innovative technology has been installed to aid the demand in flexible learning. Presenters from around the world will be able to interact with students using holographic displays. Meanwhile a digital twin of the building will allow visitors to remotely attend events and activities through VR and XR experiences.
The building features a unique perforated veil with dynamic cuts, symbolising ‘glitches’ in digital data. This creates a textured pattern that interacts with the interior and facade lighting, blending nature with technology. The veil provides solar shading and acts as vibrant public art, while at night the building lights up with different colours.
Designed to achieve a BREEAM Outstanding rating, the building has low carbon emissions and uses no gas on site for heat generating plant.
Danny Strickland and Neil Wright both attended the opening night dinner, celebrating the buildings completion and handover, hosted by the university and Wates Construction and saw around 80 people who worked on the project come together in the auditorium and see the completed building fitted out and ready for use by the university.