UCLan Engineering Innovation Centre
Education, Higher Education (Engineering) Preston, Lancashire, England (UCLan Preston Campus) 2015–2019

UCLan Engineering Innovation Centre

The Engineering Innovation Centre (EIC) is a state-of-the-art facility on UCLan's Preston Campus, equipped to a high standard to exploit the University's location at the centre of one of the most intense engineering and manufacturing areas in the UK and establish UCLan as a leader in engineering innovation.

LocationPreston, Lancashire, England (UCLan Preston Campus)
SectorEducation, Higher Education (Engineering)
Stage2015–2019

The Brief

The Engineering Innovation Centre (EIC) is a state-of-the-art facility on UCLan's Preston Campus, equipped to a high standard to exploit the University's location at the centre of one of the most intense engineering and manufacturing areas in the UK and establish UCLan as a leader in engineering innovation. It provides high-quality technology demonstration spaces and specialist work areas, a hub for teaching, research and knowledge exchange, and is the first of UCLan's masterplan projects to create a unified, sustainable and welcoming campus. BDP Lighting and the M&E team partnered with Simpson & Haugh architects, with BDP Lighting appointed in 2015 to provide a modern lighting scheme to the building's atrium and common spaces and a functional, flexible solution to all workshops, laboratories and teaching spaces, meeting the University's requirements and delivering a BREEAM Excellent building.

The Challenge

Develop efficient, aesthetically pleasing lighting for all internal areas and for Foster Square (between the EIC and the existing Foster building), meeting the client's aspirations and the most relevant standards. Architecture, lighting, acoustics and M&E had to be fully coordinated to mitigate installation risks and provide a clear, easy maintenance plan, while delivering energy-efficient lighting with flexible controls. A Stage 4 over-budget position also had to be resolved through value engineering.

The Result

What we delivered

01

A modern lighting scheme to the atrium and common spaces, with functional, flexible lighting to all workshops, laboratories and teaching spaces, contributing to a BREEAM Excellent building.

02

Lighting controls providing energy efficiency, flexibility for educational tasks (staff and students can make small adjustments) and minimised maintenance cost for both general and emergency lighting.

03

Full design documentation from detailed design to tender, layout drawings, lighting schedules and detailed NBS specification.

04

BIM processes and tools that supported prompt delivery of each stage and enabled the M&E team to monitor the 3D model information.

05

A full cost review and value-engineering exercise that brought the over-budget Stage 4 specification back into line, including analysis of alternative sub-contractor proposals.

Giorgos’s Role

Involved in all design stages and lighting lead from RIBA Stage 3 to project completion in early 2019. Developed efficient, attractive lighting for all internal areas and Foster Square, leading a team of three designers on full interior and exterior calculations and working closely with the architectural team. As digital engineering lead of the Manchester lighting team, developed BIM processes and tools for the M&E team. From Stage 4 onwards, finalised all lighting installation and integration details, advised sub-contractors on equipment and control strategy, and led the cost review and value-engineering exercise.

Get in touch

Let’s shape
light together.

Available for lighting design, consultancy and collaboration across the UK and internationally.

© 2026 Giorgos Kourtelis. All rights reserved. Photography by Nick Caville & Paul Karalius · Project imagery courtesy of BDP Built by Fertile.Digital