Campus Umeå continues to grow and develop. Just behind Aula Nordica, the construction of a whole new building will start this December. This building will primarily be used for exams, teaching and as a place for self-study. But the building will also cater for meetings, house offices and offer a café.
"It is critical that the University can offer modern and functional exam halls that provide a healthy work environment. The new premises are also more accessible thanks to their location in the middle of campus. They are easy to reach through indoor walkways and outdoors via cycle paths and adjacent bus stops," says Hans Wiklund, University Director at Umeå University.
The property owner of our current exam halls at the Eastern Pavilion has terminated our contract from summer 2024. This means we need to find a temporary solution for holding exams until the new building is ready to be used in spring 2025. The Property Management Office and the Campus Services Office at Umeå University have started looking into temporary exam hall solutions for the specific period. Information on what solutions will be available will be presented to allow ample time for planning.
Plans on how to reduce disturbance
The central location on Campus Umeå is a clear advantage when it comes to using the building from spring 2025 and onwards. But the positioning of the building is also a challenge during the construction phase as both students and staff may be affected by the construction itself, not least the noise.
The activities and operations active in the very vicinity of the soon-to-be construction site have also expressed concern for the impacts of the construction on specific research projects and teaching. These disturbances and how they can best be solved has been discussed at various dialogue meetings. Prior to deciding to indeed carry out this project, in-depth risk assessments were conducted, and knowledge and experiences have been gathered from similar projects at other Swedish universities.
Hans Wiklund, University Director at Umeå University
Photo: Mattias Pettersson
"The University Management has considered both the needs for new exam halls and the risk of disturbing specific research projects and teaching during the constructions, and has made the assessment that overall, it is still wise to build new premises for exams and studies, among other activities," says Hans Wiklund.
To prevent and deal with potential disturbances, a number of measures have been planned. When it comes to the construction process, the site office will be located in Universum instead of in barracks on the construction site. Routines for loading and unloading will be thoroughly thought through to reduce noise. Rubber mats will be placed in lorry trailers handling stone and gravel. All communications will take place via radio instead of by signalling, and noise-suppressing measures will be installed in certain neighbouring buildings.
Ongoing dialogue will take place between affected operations and Akademiska Hus during the entire construction process.
Constructions of the new building are estimated to take 24 months and the building be ready for use in spring 2025.
Estimated time plan
- 28 November 2022 until 8 January 2023: Preparatory work, establishing the construction site, fencing off and signposting.
- 9 January 2023: Groundworks commence, estimated duration – 11 weeks
- 2023 until spring 2025: Construction period