Project Overview
The XR studio project for the Open University, the UK’s largest academic institution, involved the comprehensive refurbishment of two underutilised spaces on the ground floor of the Jenny Lee building. This initiative aims to enhance the university’s teaching and learning capabilities through the integration of augmented and virtual reality.
The exciting studio will serve as a research platform that allows the university to better understand how to engage students across a range of extended reality learning scenarios.
The two spaces are named ‘Motion Capture’ and ‘Virtual Production’.
The motion capture area is equipped with an internal running track, weightlifting zone, golf simulator, treadmill, and additional gym equipment, all designed to capture body movement for sports science applications.
The virtual production space utilises advanced green screen and LED wall technologies, facilitating immersive virtual and augmented reality experiences.
Core Team
Gary Wykes
Board Director
Gary started his construction career at 16 as a Trainee Quantity Surveyor, combining hands-on experience with studies at Kettering and Northampton Colleges, where he earned ONC and HNC qualifications. He later obtained a part-time degree from Nottingham Trent University, completing it in five years thanks to his prior qualifications.
In the mid-1980s, Gary worked with a second company, managing projects in Hatfield and Aylesbury, before seeking a role closer to home. Joining SDC in the late 1980s, he progressed from Quantity Surveyor to Senior Quantity Surveyor and then Manager of the Special Projects Division. During the early 1990s recession, Gary played a key role in restructuring the division, which focused on smaller-scale projects. This effort helped position SDC for long-term success in a challenging economic climate.
Appointed to SDC’s Board of Directors in 2003, Gary oversees the Special Projects Division, manages key projects, and contributes to strategic and financial planning. Between 2004 and 2007, he played a role in transitioning SDC to an Employee Benefit Trust (EBT), ensuring stability and employee-centred governance. His leadership alongside the other Board Directors has been pivotal in navigating challenges and ensuring stability.
Gary has fostered enduring relationships with major clients like Jaguar Land Rover and the University of Cambridge, emphasising quality and client satisfaction. Over decades, he has supported SDC’s evolution from a more informal operation to a professional, structured organisation. As the company continues to grow and adapt, he remains committed to supporting its ongoing success and ensuring it is well-positioned to meet future challenges.
Grant Thompson
Commercial Manager
Paul Tither
Project Design Manager
Matt Wells
Planning Manager
Uppingham Cricket Pavilion
The historic cricket pavilion, built in 1923, underwent refurbishment to repair and reinvigorate.
