Franklin + Andrews QS for Project Diamond scheme

Franklin + Andrews is finalising its QS work on the Project Diamond scheme. The development in Rutherford, Oxfordshire is the largest UK-funded scientific facility to be built for over 30 years.

The Firm’s QS project manager Phil Tidy, said: "Our role is to manage the financial side of the project, setting budgets and overall cost allowances, preparing tender and contract documents, and monitoring the choice of materials and construction techniques."

Project Diamond is essentially a ‘synchrotron', a giant machine that generates brilliant beams of light by moving electrons through a strong magnetic field.

On a grand scale, it will allow scientists to understand quantum mechanics, particle interactions, and the structure of proteins and DNA. On a more everyday scale, the equipment can be used to design new materials; study and tackle corrosion in planes, pipelines and cars; investigate pollution levels and their impact on the environment; develop new drugs; understand food processes.

For the QS team at Franklin + Andrews it's meant getting their head round a science revolution that many experts find challenging.

Tidy added: "As you can imagine it was difficult estimating the costs of something that's never been built before in the UK and this was un-chartered territory not just for us."

The machine itself is housed in a futuristic doughnut-shaped building covering an area the size of five football pitches. It is due to open in January 2007.