Bucknall Austin appointed QS for £8.5m scheme

Construction and property consultant Bucknall Austin is to cost manage a new £8.5m academic block at Thames Valley University in Reading.

The firm won the commission via the OJEU process on the strength of its credentials in higher and further education with current schemes including Reading University, Manchester University and Leeds Metropolitan University.

Partner Simon Kerton who is on the scheme with Wokingham colleagues partner Steve Scott and QS Miriam Tsang said: "We are confident our approach and track record in the sector should provide similar exciting opportunities in the future."

The block will total 6000 m² over four or five floors on the east side of the Kings Road campus and will preserve as much on-site parking as possible.

The university and town planners are insisting on quality design and integration within the overall estate. Particular attention will be given to adequate ventilation for teaching rooms with services engineers proposing a mixed mode system that uses the atrium to draw in sufficient outside air for natural ventilation.

Other members of the design team include architect Nick Evans Architects, engineers Parsons Brinckerhoff and traffic consultant Capita Symonds.

Construction should start in spring next year, with completion expected in mid 2008.