The University of Coventry, UK has awarded the £37 million contract to build its flagship new Science and Health Building to BAM Construction.
The five-storey, 120,000ft2 (11,148.4m2) building on Much Park Street in Coventry’s city centre is due for completion in 2017 and will bring together the Faculty of Health and Life Science’s teaching and research facilities into a ‘superlab’.
The modern multi-disciplinary facility will house world-class teaching and simulation facilities with state-of-the-art equipment and laboratories. A mock operating theatre, fully-equipped ambulance and a community house to test the latest assistive living technologies will be among the health simulation features.
A purpose-built laboratory for teaching and research in biological and analytic sciences will sit alongside a strength and conditioning room. A sports therapy clinic and facilities for food and environmental sciences will also be part of the complex.
BAM based in Shirley, Solihull, is part of BAM Construct UK, one of the country’s largest construction services organisations. The contractor built The Hub at Coventry University, which is the social centre of student campus life, and also the new Severn Trent Headquarters building which it completed in 2010.
The Hub, completed in 2011, achieved a BREEAM status of excellent. The new energy-efficient building has been designed to meet the world-leading environmental rating system for buildings.
'There are many reasons for us to be pleased – we’ve been appointed to build a really significant and exciting structure, by a client we’ve enjoyed an excellent working relationship with before, in a city we know well and treasure. It builds on our long track record in Coventry and we’ll bring a first rate team to create an outstanding learning facility that the University can be proud of,' said Rod Stiles, Regional Director.
BAM Technical Services will also be involved in the project providing temporary works and BAM Plant will provide plant, machinery and electrical services installations on site.
Oxford-based AECOM is project manager for the scheme. The architect is the Birmingham office of Broadway Malyan.