Higher Education Refurbishment of Dental and Dietetics Training Suite

This project involves the refurbishment and specialist fit-out of new Dental and Dietetics teaching facilities within an existing university campus building. The scheme will transform existing internal spaces into modern, purpose-designed teaching environments capable of supporting specialist healthcare education and practical training.

The works comprise a comprehensive refurbishment programme, including enabling works and site establishment, internal soft strip, builders’ works, structural alterations, fire stopping, mechanical and electrical installations, ventilation and air-handling systems, fire alarm modifications, suspended ceilings and high-quality internal finishes. The project also includes the installation and integration of specialist dental teaching equipment, together with the construction of a dedicated external compressor enclosure and all associated testing, commissioning and final handover requirements.

A key challenge of the project is that the works are being undertaken within an existing occupied university building, with staff, students and visitors continuing to use the wider facility throughout the construction period. This requires a carefully planned and highly controlled approach to construction, with particular emphasis on health and safety, access management, fire safety, segregation and minimising disruption to ongoing university operations.

As Principal Contractor, we are working closely with the Client and the wider project team to coordinate construction activities around the University’s operational requirements. Maintaining safe access, protected circulation routes, compliant fire escape provisions and effective emergency arrangements will remain fundamental throughout the works.

The project requires close coordination between multiple specialist trades and disciplines, particularly where the new teaching facilities interface with the existing building’s mechanical, electrical, fire and ventilation infrastructure. The integration of specialist dental equipment and associated services adds a further level of technical coordination, requiring detailed planning, installation, testing and commissioning prior to occupation.

Our delivery approach focuses on safe construction within a live educational environment, meticulous coordination of specialist installations, protection of existing facilities and continuity of university operations. Through careful programming, stakeholder engagement and proactive management of interfaces and risks, the project will deliver modern, technically capable teaching facilities while maintaining a safe and functional environment for the University’s staff, students and visitors throughout the construction phase.