Willmott Dixon has been appointed to deliver £60m teaching and engineering facilities at Oxford Brookes University, which will provide sustainable teaching and engineering facilities for students, staff, researchers, partners and the community
The new teaching and engineering facilities on the Headington Hill campus will be home to a new teaching block and faculty offices within a Grade II listed estate. The engineering building has been designed to help transform science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM) and creative activities.
The project has been procured under the Southern Construction Framework (SCF)
Willmott Dixon has had a successful relationship with SCF since 2006, delivering over £1bn of construction via SCF’s four previous framework generations and has since secured a place on the 5th generation of the SCF Construct framework for £4m+ lots in the South West, the South East and London categories.
SCF has chosen contractors that have shown outstanding carbon benchmarking assessments for their projects and have prioritised carbon retrofit capabilities. SFC is an industry leader in Two Stage Open Book project delivery, under which the framework will operate.
The Two Stage Open Book project is a government-recommended delivery method that comes as part of an initiative to reform construction practices in the UK by bringing contractors, stakeholders, and suppliers together from the outset of a project. The initiative focuses on improving building operational outcomes, sustainability and achieving Net Zero Carbon targets.
New teaching and engineering facilities can help deliver sustainable targets
The new teaching and engineering facilities, designed by ADP Architecture, will provide a new space for the Faculty of Technology, Design and Environment at the University’s Headington Campus.
It is hoped that the new buildings will help the University deliver its vision for collaboration and collocation through sustainable and flexible spaces for students, staff, and researchers.
The three-storey teaching building includes a social core allowing informal learning while encouraging engagement and promoting well-being. The engineering facilities include a purpose-built workshop which has been designed to fit seamlessly in the parkland conservation area of Headington Hill.
“We are pleased Willmott Dixon has commenced work on two inspirational buildings for our Headington Campus. The new state-of-the-art labs, workshops, and teaching and social learning spaces will be transformational for our Faculty of Technology, Design and Environment,” said Jerry Woods, director of estates and campus services at Oxford Brookes University.
“This state-of-the-art facility will provide Oxford Brookes University with innovative facilities that allow their students and staff to meet the future requirements of industry and entrepreneurism. The sustainability credentials of this building indicate Oxford Brookes’ forward-thinking approach, and we are thrilled to be part of their journey,” added Richard Poulter, managing director for Willmott Dixon in the south.
The new facilities will be ready for the 2024/25 academic year
“The SCF is delighted to continue supporting Oxford Brookes with their master plan by managing the procurement of a contractor for the exciting new Headington Hill project. The new spaces will not only serve as a physical space for students and staff to gather and learn but are also a reflection of the university’s commitment to progress and growth,” said Alex Nelhams, SCF’s framework manager.
“We are looking forward to seeing how the project develops and working with all stakeholders to drive positive impact out of the process and leave a highly sustainable new space for the students,” he concluded.
