Five-storey Spectra building to include robotics labs, destructive testing spaces and wind tunnelsBDP's completed Spectra building at the University of HertfordshireA corrugated facade is intended to reference the hangars of the De Havilland aircraft manufacturing company1/6show captionBDP has completed a 63m STEM education and research building for the University of Hertfordshire.The five-storey Spectra building is the largest single building on the universitys College Lane campus.The 15,000sq m facility brings together the universitys physics, engineering and computer science departments under the same roof for the first time.New facilities include dedicated robotics and cyber security laboratories, the latest in aeronautical and automotive simulators, wind tunnels and areas designed to accommodate destructive testing of experimental structures.BDPs design for the building has drawn inspiration from Hertfordshires aeronautical history, with its corrugated metal facade paying homage to the local De Havilland aircraft manufacturing company and its hangars.A corrugated facade is intended to reference the hangars of the De Havilland aircraft manufacturing companyJess Mailey, Architect Director at BDP, commented: Designing Spectra has been a remarkable opportunity to shape an environment that not only meets the needs of today but anticipates the needs of tomorrow.We understand fully the importance of collaboration across disciplines, and this building is encouraging innovation and providing the tools and spaces for the next generation of engineers, scientists, and researchers to thrive.The scheme is the first phase of the universitys 2030 Vision, a 180 million investment in new and upgraded facilities.The project team also included QS and project manager Atkins Realis and civil and structural engineer Aecom.