Architect sought for £19m Jodrell Bank visitor centre
The University of Manchester is recruiting an architect to deliver its new ‘First Light’ visitor centre at Jodrell Bank Observatory in Cheshire
Planned to complete in 2021, the project will create a new gallery telling the story of the site’s pioneering radio astronomers.
The winning architecture-led multi-disciplinary consultant team will take forward an existing scheme drawn up by Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios (FCBS) for the new circular building.
The announcement comes five years after FCBS completed a new £3 million visitor centre at the world-famous site which is home to the iconic Grade I-listed Lovell Telescope.
The AJ120 firm is also working on plans to create a new global headquarters for international research group the Square Kilometre Array nearby.
Measuring 76 metres in diameter, the Lovell Telescope was the only device powerful enough in 1957 to track the rocket that carried Sputnik.
According to the contract notice: ‘The University has adopted a strategy to procure the full consultancy services required for this project at this time, with the key initial driver being to move forward and meet the time scale deadline date for the submission of a “HLF Round 2” bid.’
‘The aim and requirement of this procurement is to procure and appoint all the remaining consultant services required for this project under a lead consultant architect appointment as a single commission and contract with the lead consultant architect.’
Between five and eight teams will be shortlisted for the estimated £1.8 million contract. A project and cost manager will be appointed separately.