Liverpool Media Academy
Sutcliffe led the structural engineering for the Metquarter’s conversion into a music teaching academy. The Metquarter was a retail shopping centre which had been progressively losing market share to the nearby Liverpool ONE and had several empty units as a result. LMA agreed a deal with the landlord to repurpose all the retail units at first floor level to become their next music teaching academy, which was a pioneering approach to breathe new life into the building.
Sutcliffe were engaged to act as structural engineers on the project to design numerous alterations to the existing mezzanine floors to suit the new spatial requirements as designed by K2 Architects. The project started during the first UK COVID lockdown so health and safety was of paramount importance throughout with social distancing, masks, temperature checks and risk assessments.
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Project scope
The project involved significant alterations to the existing mezzanine levels to accommodate the academy’s design. Challenges included unexpected deficiencies in shop front structures, which required comprehensive replacement. Completed under stringent COVID-19 safety measures, the project met its deadlines and budget, delivering a sophisticated and functional new space for music education.
Contractor: Reds Joinery
Architect: K2 Architects
Contract Value- £5m
