Balfour Beatty has been awarded a £42M contract by De Montfort University to transform its Faculty of Art, Design and Humanities at its campus in Leicester, part of an overall £136M redevelopment scheme.
Balfour Beatty will refurbish a 12 storey teaching block, build a new six storey building, and convert a two storey building, creating 27,700m2 of new teaching and support office space. The contract also includes all associated mechanical and electrical work.
The project aims to transform De Montfort University’s Fletcher complex, housing its Faculty of Art, Design and Humanities, while a rebuilt Fletcher Tower will create a new landmark in the West End of Leicester, complete with outdoor video screen, and a ‘green lung’ of open parkland.
The work will also lead to the creation of the Jonathan KS Choi Creative and Cultural Centre, providing a space for students and staff to pursue study and research. The centre will also contain the new home for the DMU Confucius Institute, which will promote Chinese language and culture.
The buildings are designed to attain BREEAM ‘Excellent’ standard. Enabling works are to commence this month, with completion due in September 2016.
The Fletcher redevelopment is the centrepiece of a £136M campus transformation project at De Montfort University. Balfour Beatty is using 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.
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 centrepiece Campus Centre building in 2003, and we are looking forward to delivering another part of the University’s ambitious transformation programme.”
