National fit out and refurbishment specialist Overbury has been instructed to deliver projects for four Midlands universities in time for the start of the new academic year.
Overbury has been appointed to deliver creative learning spaces at University of Birmingham as well as the refurbishment of flexible teaching spaces and staff accommodation at Aston University, ensuring the buildings are ready to welcome students in time for the new term in September.
The five projects at the universities, including Staffordshire University and University of Warwick, are worth a total of around £7 million.
Danny Parmar, business development manager at Overbury’s Birmingham office, said: “We’re recognised for our expertise in the higher education sector and we’ve completed many similar projects over the years. Summer is traditionally a time when universities are busy upgrading buildings in time for the new academic year, which means these projects have to be completed to a strict deadline.
“It is imperative that the facilities are ready for staff and students when the academic year begins. To be appointed to ensure these projects are delivered on time is a great compliment to us, and demonstrates that we are seen as a very safe pair of hands.”
At the University of Birmingham’s Education Building, Overbury will refurbish its teaching facility to create new learning spaces for additional students. The refurbishment will include M&E adaptations, new finishes and AV and catering equipment.
The refurbishment at Aston University’s Main Building will be undertaken to form new staff offices and two additional teaching spaces on its third floor.
The latest university rankings for 2018 lists Aston University inside the top 50 universities in the UK, while University of Birmingham comes in at 16th in the Complete University Guide’s table. University of Warwick remains one of the country’s highest ranking, in at eight place.
Overbury has carried out considerable work in the education sector and its head of environmental and sustainability, Dr Joe Croft, recently chaired a Birmingham seminar on SKA HE – a new assessment tool for higher education fit outs and refurbishments.
It has also been appointed to deliver two schemes at the University of Warwick.
At the Engineering Building in Coventry, the work comprises of a strip out back to shell and core and refurbishment of part of the building including teaching spaces, offices and circulation spaces across the first and second floors.
Meanwhile, at its T-ERA Building also within the engineering department, Overbury will provide a fit out to deliver laboratories and other academic environments for the research department.
Overbury has worked with the university in the past, having recently delivered a refurbishment and fit out at its University House building, to provide a modern working environment for both staff and students.
Overbury has been appointed to deliver new learning spaces for Games Design and Fashion courses at Staffordshire University, ensuring that the facilities are ready to welcome students in time for the new term in September.
The new learning spaces will be created in the university’s Cadman building and will include building services adaptions, new finishes, new furniture and learning technologies.