The initiative aims to cultivate a new generation of engineers proficient in construction practices and committed to sustainable and innovative solutions.

This initiative will equip students with crucial project management skills while immersing them in modern digital construction technologies. It also underscores the critical importance of scheduling, teamwork, financial control, health and safety, and the practical aspects of engineering theory.
 
The "Sustainable Offsite Construction" project proposed by Laing O’Rourke Associate Professor Dr Brian Sheil on behalf of the Construction Group, involves third-year students building a 13-meter bridge using modular components at an onsite location near the Eddington campus in Cambridge. The first project took place in June 2024 and provided a hands-on construction experience that gave the students the opportunity to put their theoretical knowledge gained in the engineering course thus far into practice.
 
The bridge that the students constructed is based on Laing O'Rourke's state-of-the-art modular 'Digital Bridges' using reusable precast reinforced concrete, emphasising environmental and financial sustainability.
 

On site, the students all underwent a steep learning curve, and quickly gained experience and confidence, both in manual tasks, as well as in the documentation management and presentation skills when presenting their progress and costs at the end of each day. The project also provided a substantial opportunity for the students to develop essential teamwork, management, leadership, and communication skills, learning to work together and overcome challenges to achieve a common goal.
 
"We are thrilled to offer students the opportunity to participate in the 'Sustainable Offsite Construction' project, which promotes sustainable construction practices and fosters industry collaboration and real-world learning."
Dr Brian Sheil
 
The teaching format involves problem-based learning with mini-lectures, practical demonstration sessions, build sessions and teaching and training delivered by industry partners. Students have the opportunity to work with skilled staff from the contractor (Laing O'Rourke), the consulting engineers (Ramboll), Steel fabricators (Severfield) and technology experts (Trimble) to gain hands-on experience.
 
The project's coursework and assessment are multimodal and include an interim client interview, where students discuss the construction plan, program, costing, environmental, health and safety issues, and their roles within the construction team to recognise the importance of communication skills in industry.
 
The initiative aims to cultivate a new generation of engineers proficient in construction practices and committed to sustainable and innovative solutions. The Sustainable Offsite Construction project marks a significant step towards integrating sustainable engineering practices into the university's curriculum and industry partnerships while also aligning with the broader goals of the Laing O'Rourke Centre.