Beard has secured an £11.5 million contract from the University of Oxford to deliver a dedicated access facility and a new undergraduate centre at Wadham College in Parks Road.

The new Dr Lee Shau Kee Building will be constructed, housing the College's extensive access and outreach programme. The new three-storey facility will offer purpose-built space for welcoming schools and hosting Wadham's innovative access programmes and residential summer schools.

The Beard team will build 20 bedrooms with en-suites, three of which will be accessible and two will be assisted accessible. The desks within the assisted rooms will be adjustable in height to suit varying requirements and all rooms will be designed so that wheelchair-users can access the main living area. The scheme will provide shared kitchens, a 50-seat seminar room with partitioning, a meeting room and a music room.

The new three-storey William Doo Undergraduate Centre will also be delivered, which will be linked by an integrated walkway to the Dr Lee Shau Kee Building. The Centre will provide student study areas, social break-out space, student kitchens, a café and bar, art room and an 'e-hub' with administration offices on the top floor. It will also house a new junior common room where undergraduate students can gather to study, exchange ideas and socialise.


The project will involve demolishing the above-ground levels of the existing junior common room and 1950s-built Goddard Building. The existing basement level will be refurbished to house bike storage, a laundry room and a band music room. Lifts will provide full access to all four floors including the basement.

"We are delighted to be delivering these two fantastic new centres which will not only improve access to Wadham College and its buildings, but provide students with a modern, welcoming and inclusive learning environment," said Richie Carter, contracts manager. "As the construction will be taking place in a live campus environment, our project team will be programming works to minimise their impact on the College's day-to-day activities."

Designed by AL_A Architects, the two centres have been sensitively scaled to fit with the College's historic surroundings. The development will have a 25% greater area than the College's existing buildings but significantly lower energy consumption due to energy-saving features such as high thermal efficiency, solar roof panels and maximised natural lighting. A significant part of the build will be manufactured off-site to reduce carbon miles and improve the speed, safety and quality of the construction.

Wadham College domestic bursar, Frances Lloyd said: "We are delighted to have appointed Beard to fulfil this exciting new project for Wadham and look forward to working together over the next two years."

(CM)