University News Last updated 22 May
STEAMhouse has been shortlisted for the RICS UK Awards 2026 (West Midlands), further strengthening its position as a flagship development for Birmingham City University (BCU) and a central anchor within the Birmingham Knowledge Quarter.
As a major regeneration project, STEAMhouse has transformed a former industrial building into a shared space for students, academics, entrepreneurs and businesses.
It now plays a key role in the University’s long-term STEAM strategy to drive innovation-led growth and strengthen the city’s wider knowledge economy through the Birmingham Knowledge Quarter ecosystem.
This latest shortlisting - in the Heritage category - recognises the delivery and impact of the phased internal fit-out of the former Belmont Works factory and seamlessly, and sympathetically integrated, extension behind.
Completed in 2024, Phases 2 and 3 brought the building fully into operation, delivering specialist teaching spaces, digital labs, workshops and enterprise areas that enable collaboration across disciplines and between academia and industry.
It represents the point at which STEAMhouse moved from a restored landmark to a fully active innovation environment.
With AtkinsRéalis as lead consultant for the fit-out projects, working closely with other delivery partners, the project reflects a collaborative approach to adapting a historic industrial building for modern educational and innovation use, while carefully retaining its original character.
Professor Nick Morton, Academic Director of Partnerships and STEAM at BCU, said: “Being shortlisted for the RICS Awards is a significant recognition of what STEAMhouse set out to achieve.
“We’ve taken a historic building and reimagined it as a space where education, enterprise and innovation come together. It’s designed to evolve, supporting our students, partners and the wider region to collaborate, experiment and grow.
“It is a key asset for the University and a cornerstone of the Birmingham Knowledge Quarter.”
Mark Brain, Director, Buildings and Places, AtkinsRéalis, said: "Being part of the STEAMhouse journey has been genuinely rewarding, and its shortlisting for the RICS Regional Heritage Award reflects the commitment and hard work from our team, particularly given our involvement in BCU’s other major city centre campus projects.
"AtkinsRéalis has been closely involved in ensuring STEAMhouse respects its industrial story while contributing to a wider, connected vision for the campus to enable knowledge-led growth for this part of the West Midlands as part of the region's strategy for growth."
Jason Stanley, Associate Director of Estates Development at BCU, added: “STEAMhouse is a great example of how thoughtful estate development can support both institutional ambitions and wider regional growth.
“Phase 2 was about creating high-quality, flexible spaces that enable collaboration between students, academics, businesses and entrepreneurs, while carefully preserving the heritage and character of the original building.
“To see the project recognised by the RICS Awards is a testament to the commitment of everyone involved in delivering a space that will continue to support innovation, creativity and enterprise across Birmingham and the wider West Midlands.”
Today, STEAMhouse acts as a major innovation hub, providing a flexible environment that supports learning, creativity, enterprise and knowledge exchange under one roof.
The project also demonstrates strong sustainability performance, including high standards of conservation and reuse of the original building fabric.
Winners will be announced at the RICS West Midlands ceremony on 26 June at the Hyatt Regency in Birmingham.