Major contract for Turner & Townsend

The professional services company, along with architects Faulkner Brown, engineer Buro Happold, landscape architect LUC and planning consultant DPP One, has been selected to work on schemes which aim to help the university attract the best staff and students.

Leeds-based Turner & Townsend has been appointed to work on a Centre for Teaching and Learning, which will include lecture theatres, teaching rooms, seminar rooms, education labs for developing new teaching and training methods, student learning zones and catering facilities.

Outside term time, it is expected to host major academic conferences. It is anticipated the building will be completed for the 2019/20 academic year.

Turner & Townsend has also secured a contract to work on the enhanced Maiden Castle Sports Park at the university. This project is set to include a new 3G football and rugby pitch and two new water-based hockey pitches. The existing building is expected to be extended to include an indoor sports hall, cricket facility and indoor tennis courts. It is anticipated work will be completed on this scheme by autumn 2018.

Both projects are part of the Durham University Estate Master plan for 2017 to 2027. The plan has been subject to four days of consultation, which were attended by more than 300 members of the public and university staff and students.

Turner & Townsend will deliver a full service for both schemes, including project management and cost consultancy. It will also have overall responsibility for commissioning the architecture, landscaping, planning, civil and structural engineering, building services engineering and fire engineering.

David Gardner, a director for Turner & Townsend, said: “We are thrilled to be working closely with Durham University. The university is renowned for its world-class teaching and research, and we are delighted to support with the delivery of buildings and sport facilities.

“Our team not only has the strength and depth of experience but also the capability and capacity to deliver two large but distinct types of scheme concurrently.

Jane Robinson, the chief operating officer of Durham University, added: “We are very pleased to appoint Turner & Townsend and look forward to working with them on these very important projects.

“In order to continue to attract and retain high-calibre staff and students, Durham University needs to ensure that its excellent reputation for research, education and the student experience is matched by a high-quality estate.

“We encourage an open dialogue on our estate plans and are consulting thoroughly with our staff, students and the wider community to inform and shape our proposals.”

Turner & Townsend specialises in programme management, project management, cost management and consulting across the real estate, infrastructure and natural resources sectors. It has 97 offices in 41 countries.

Durham University is a member of the Russell Group of leading research-intensive UK universities.