Leading UK construction, refurbishment and fit out contractor, Gilbert-Ash, has won a £17million design and build contract at one of England’s most historically significant colleges.
Trinity College, a constituent college of the University of Oxford, was granted planning permission last year for the erection of the new high-quality building. It is set to provide teaching facilities, residential accommodation and a multi-purpose auditorium.
Gilbert-Ash will construct 45 new en-suite study bedrooms, five dedicated teaching rooms, three multi-purpose areas for music practice rooms, additional teaching rooms and a basement for plant and storage.
Advanced logistical planning is pivotal in this project as the new building will be located on a sensitive site close to several listed buildings and gardens. It represents the first major building project at Trinity College for over 50 years.
The new building will also be home to additional formal study spaces, a new reception area designed as an orangery overlooking the gardens and two additional student kitchens. There will be a kitchen to provide catering facilities, laundry and basement storage facilities, as well as male, female and gender-neutral bathrooms and ancillary accommodation.
It has been designed in a classical manner with traditional materials being carefully considered to reflect the established architectural character elsewhere in the college. It will have stone-faced elevations finished in a honey coloured ashlar limestone to complement buildings across the college and ensure it sits comfortably with its historic setting.
Having constructed the student accommodation at Wadham College, Gilbert-Ash has a well-established working relationship with the University of Oxford and has a deep knowledge of working in areas of significant historical importance.
Raymond Gilroy, Gilbert-Ash Construction Director, commented, “Gilbert-Ash is really pleased to be working on this major project for Trinity College. We are excited about the new building and what it will offer to the university community. We are in no doubt about the challenges which lie ahead, working in a tight location surrounded by listed buildings and grounds, but our team has the experience to meticulously plan for and work through any challenges which present themselves. We are ready to roll up our sleeves and work with our partners to deliver this prestigious project.”
Working as one with Trinity College and the design team at Adam Architecture, Gilbert-Ash has developed a thorough plan to ensure the project objectives are delivered to the highest possible standard.
The structural challenges have been addressed through the sub and superstructure strategies, which include contiguous piled basement retaining walls, internal load bearing piles with in-situ concrete basement and ground floor slabs. The superstructure will be an in-situ RC frame up to roof level with proprietary timber trusses and large concrete transfer beams at first and ground level to accommodate large open column free spaces.
The project is due for completion in August 2021. Highly detailed design, advanced logistical planning and development goes into every Gilbert-Ash project, with the team skilled in delivering the finest quality projects in the UK and globally, including historic building and educational developments.
For more information on Gilbert-Ash visit www.gilbert-ash.com
