Balfour Beatty’s UK and Ireland construction business today announces the award of a £42 million contract to redevelop the Faculty of Art, Design and Humanities at De Montfort University in Leicester.
The project will include the refurbishment of a 12-storey teaching block, the construction of a new six-storey building, the conversion of a two-storey building and all associated mechanical and electrical work, creating 27,700m2 of new teaching and support office space.
Balfour Beatty is deploying innovative computer-aided Building Information Modelling tools (BIM) in the design and build of the project with early application already facilitating a substantial reduction in the scheme’s cost through design review.
The buildings are designed to attain BREEAM ‘Excellent’ standard, the industry’s leading measure of sustainability in buildings. Balfour Beatty is committed to supporting the local economy and will engage local small businesses, apprentices and labour on the project, whilst offering a number of work experience placements for students in project management, architecture and interior design.
Jon Adams, Northern Managing Director for Balfour Beatty Major Projects, said: “Balfour Beatty has extensive experience in delivering university buildings of all types and we are looking forward to bringing a high-quality finish and a sustainable approach to this project.
“We have a track record of delivering work for De Montfort University dating back over ten years, having previously refurbished the Hawthorn Building and constructed the centre-piece Campus Centre building in 2003, and we are looking forward to delivering another part of the University’s ambitious transformation programme.”
Balfour Beatty is also engaged on other nearby university projects in Sheffield and Birmingham.
Enabling works are commencing this month, with the project due for completion in September 2016.
Photograph
Computer Generated Image of the redeveloped Faculty of Art, Design and Humanities at De Montfort University.
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Balfour Beatty Construction Services UK
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Notes to editors
- Balfour Beatty completed the Hawthorn Building refurbishment works for De Montfort University which is one of the oldest buildings on the University campus dating back to 1809.
- Balfour Beatty’s UK and Ireland construction business (www.balfourbeattycsuk.com) is a leading integrator of complex, sophisticated and innovative projects that improve the UK’s and Ireland’s national infrastructure and an experienced provider of local and regional projects that help build lasting communities. We offer a broad range of capabilities in construction, civil engineering and mechanical & electrical engineering services. With offices throughout the UK and Ireland, we deliver a locally-focused service with the support of our national network of expertise and resources. Balfour Beatty’s UK and Ireland construction business employs over 9,000 people.
- Balfour Beatty is an established higher education construction contractor currently delivering over £350million of contracts such as the £80m Westminster Bridge Road student accommodation project in London, a £42 million contract to design and build new student accommodation for the University of Birmingham, and a £49m engineering block for the University of Sheffield.
