Bowmer + Kirkland has been handed an £82m contract to build a new science and engineering building for Manchester Metropolitan University.
The contractor has been chosen to provide the design and construction of a new build and potential refurbishment works on the John Dalton site.
The overall works include the demolition of both the John Dalton West and East Buildings, as well as the construction of a new-build facility of around 14,000 sq m.
The firm, who beat two other contractors to the job, will also be required to build links into the existing John Dalton Tower at multiple levels.
The new facility, which has been designed by BDP, will be made up of about 42% office space, 12% laboratories, 5% general teaching rooms, 6% self-directed and social learning areas and 35% circulation and plant rooms.
Sarah Townsend
Construction services firm Bowmer + Kirkland has been appointed as the main contractor to build Manchester Metropolitan University’s Faculty of Science and Engineering, and to refurbish the John Dalton complex.
Following ground preparatory work this month, construction is to start at the Chester Street site in January for the largest construction project MMU has ever undertaken.
Under the plans, MMU’s John Dalton West building will be demolished and a seven-storey, 160,000 sq ft faculty of science and engineering erected in its place.
The £45m building will include laboratories, such as a 200-student ‘super-lab’, and seminar rooms to the south of the building, while offices and communal areas will be situated to the north.