A company has been chosen for the key construction phase of a landmark Cardiff University building for students at the heart of the Cathays Campus.
Construction company BAM has been appointed to build the Centre for Student Life, as part of the University’s biggest campus upgrade in a generation.
The Centre, a partnership with the Students’ Union, will provide a new home for student support services and offer additional social study spaces, consultation rooms, a 550-seat auditorium and quiet contemplation spaces.
The University is transforming the way it supports student life, including mental health and wellbeing.
The investment will make services more accessible to students wherever they are based.
The construction phase of the project will create 18 new jobs, including apprentices, and will support around 150 contractor jobs on site.
Professor Amanda Coffey, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Student Experience and Academic Standards, said:
“I am delighted that Cardiff University will be working in partnership with BAM to build the Centre for Student Life.
“BAM will help us to construct a landmark building that will transform the ways in which we provide our student support services, as well as offering high quality teaching and study spaces.”
The new building will be home to a range of services including health and wellbeing, support with study, preparing for the future, managing money and advice on living in Cardiff.
Some of the improvements to services are already taking place, allowing students to benefit immediately, before the Centre is even built.
Construction work is due to start later this year and be completed in 2020.
BAM had carried out the enabling works at the site but will now also build the Centre.
Craig Allen, BAM Construction Director, said:
“BAM has a long and productive partnership with Cardiff University, having previously delivered two world class buildings for them.
“The Centre for Student Life building is uniquely complex with many third party interfaces but it is also a fascinating challenge which we are already deeply engaged with.
“We are looking forward to delivering a fantastic building for our client which will become the heart of the University’s campus.”
The building was designed by award-winning architects Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios (FCBStudios) which has a track record with high-profile public buildings.
Overall the University is investing £600m over 10 years to upgrade its campus, including a £260m investment in its teaching, learning and student experience.
Earlier this month it was announced that a deal to build the next phase of the University’s Innovation Campus will create more than 60 jobs, apprenticeships and placements.
Bouygues UK Limited, a leading construction company with a track record in urban regeneration, will develop a disused railway yard into a centrepiece for innovation.
