All staff have decanted from Sheaf level 2 and EMB level 2 and both floors are under the control of the contractor. On Sheaf 2 plastering of the new walls is complete, ready for joinery and decoration to begin. In EMB 2 work is ongoing to remove ceilings and floors, and to isolate and strip out mechanical and engineering equipment, ahead of the creation of a new chemistry lab on this level. Staff have moved back into Sheaf level 3 and the estates team are working with the faculty to address any snags or teething problems as they arise.
In the Atrium contractors are beginning to remove cladding from the Sheaf building and the brick work to EMB, and scaffolding is being erected in that area. Work on removing the stairs on Sheaf concourse is yet to begin, but the planned demolition test to predetermine the noise, vibration and dust levels associated with this work and how disruption might be mitigated will take place this week. The contractors are also exploring the possibility of installing a temporary roof across the whole Atrium area to mitigate any further issues with heavy rain, which have been ongoing over the last couple of months.
The contractor, Houltons, is still reporting staff and students using the goods yard (on Sheaf Street) to access Sheaf and EMB during the refurbishment. It is potentially dangerous to attempt to access the buildings on foot via this route, especially as traffic is becoming heavier in this area. Pedestrian access to Sheaf is available at the side of the building from both Pond Street and Sheaf Street, adjacent to the old NMB site. Access to EMB is on Harmer Lane (across the road from Sheffield Bus Station).
Hoardings around the site, on Sheaf Street and Pond Street, are being updated with new information and graphics, and these should be in place within the next few weeks.
Phase 2 of the project is due for completion in April 2016. This will be clearly be an extremely busy period of the refurbishment. Houltons have confirmed that they will be installing a tower crane on the old NMB site (alongside Sheaf) as part of this ongoing works, and this is likely to be operational from April. Discussions are also continuing with faculty colleagues around future staff moves, including the scope of work required to relocate the Sheaf helpdesk.