A new space age extended reality (XR) lab, inspired by Men in Black, has opened at West Suffolk College in Bury St Edmunds.

Extended Reality (XR) is an umbrella term encapsulating Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), Mixed Reality (MR), and everything in between.

The £2 million facility, funded by the Office for Students and Eastern Education Group (EEG) was officially opened today by Bury MP Jo Churchill at the University Professional & Development Centre at West Suffolk College on Western Way.

East Anglian Daily Times: Dr Nikos Savvas and Jo Churchill MP at the opening of the XR labDr Nikos Savvas and Jo Churchill MP at the opening of the XR lab (Image: Eastern Education Group)Dr Nikos Savvas, CEO of the Eastern Education Group, said: “The impressive space age creation will be at the forefront of education, research and development.

"It is part of the University and Professional Development Centre which works hand in hand with businesses and delivers university and further education qualifications to people of all ages.”

East Anglian Daily Times: Dr Nikos Savvas in the XR lab during the launchDr Nikos Savvas in the XR lab during the launch (Image: Eastern Education Group)

As well as offering opportunities for students to develop their skills, the XR lab will be available for businesses to use for research, development and events.

The state of the art building has already hosted high-profile events with EDF, the NHS, Sizewell C and Wincanton PLC.

Dr Savvas, said: “This is an incredibly exciting time for us as educators, for the businesses using this facility, and for the talent the businesses can recruit.

"We are looking to be the leading institution for extended reality education and talent development for industries across post-16 education within the UK."

East Anglian Daily Times: XR Lab. Mark Hadden photographyXR Lab. Mark Hadden photography (Image: Mark Hadden photography)

The facility includes a lecture theatre with wall to wall screens and immersive sound, along with video and motion capture studios. 

UK-based architectural practice WindsorPatania Architects (windsorpatania.com) built the facility.

East Anglian Daily Times: Giovanni Patania, Dr Nikos Savvas and Ryan Windsor in the XR Lab - Giovanni and Ryan are the architects - Ryan was a former student of the collegeGiovanni Patania, Dr Nikos Savvas and Ryan Windsor in the XR Lab - Giovanni and Ryan are the architects - Ryan was a former student of the college (Image: Eastern Education Group)Owners Ryan Windsor and Giovanni Patania used the films Men in Black and 2001: A Space Odyssey as inspiration for the design.

Ryan said: “It’s a proud moment to be standing here as former student of WSC. I believe this XR Lab will democratise education and open up new opportunities for students and the community."

If you are a business who would like to discuss the potential of working with the Eastern Education Group and the XR Lab - email: tom.lloyd@easterneducationgroup.ac.uk

For more information about the facility visit: www.universitystudies.wsc.ac.uk/xrlab or call 01284 701301.