The £20 million contract was procured
through Scape Group’s National Major Works framework, one of six frameworks
offered by Scape, the new Teaching and Learning Building is the start of a
comprehensive redevelopment of the university’s central campus and is being
delivered to mark its 50th anniversary this year.
It’s
the latest major project for Willmott Dixon in the higher education sector,
following similar facilities for universities that include Kent, Cambridge,
Bournemouth, Birmingham City, West London and Brighton with a combined value of
over £250 million.
The
Teaching and Learning Building will see Willmott Dixon provide the University
of Warwick with a facility that has 250 and 500 seat lecture theatres (see below) alongside
new teaching and seminar space plus social and network areas - all accessible
by faculties across the university.
Peter
Owen, managing director at Willmott Dixon in the Midlands:
”Our recent
experience in higher education includes the new Curzon Building at Birmingham
City University and we’ll be using our experience of working in live
environments to ensure we create a centrepiece for Warwick that will provide an
excellent learning environment for many generations to come. This will deliver
a thriving new central facility for staff and students as well as a striking
building architecturally that will be memorable for all visitors.”
Willmott
Dixon is working with Berman Guedes Stretton, architect, and Pick Everard, as project
manager. Duncan Green, managing partner at Pick Everard, said: “Under the Scape
framework, we will deliver project management, quantity surveying and CDM
co-ordination services for what is going to be a hugely important addition to
the University of Warwick Campus”
The
Teaching and Learning Building will be complete in July 2016. Pro Vice
Chancellor for teaching and learning at the University of Warwick, Christina
Hughes added: “Warwick is committed to delivering the highest quality
educational experience for all our students. Our new teaching and learning building,
which has been co-designed with our students and staff, will further enhance
that experience through its innovative design and capabilities.”