New Dyson engineering school to cost £22m

Inventor James Dyson today launched a new school to encourage engineering skills, which is to be backed by engineering consultant Buro Happold. The firm is also acting as structural engineer on the £22m new scheme, designed by architect Wilkinson Eyre, which is due to open in September 2008.

The project will be funded by the James Dyson Foundation, government agencies the Department for Education & Skills and the Learning and Skills Council, and the Happold Trust.

The 9,500 m² building will be built of reinforced concrete and include a passive ventilation system to minimise energy use. Buro Happold partner Neil Squibbs said: "Buro Happold is particularly pleased to be involved with this project and efforts to support and train the next generation of engineers and designers."