The ‘Building a New Biology’ project is a plan to grow the university’s research and teaching capacity. It plans to invest £140m in total over the next five years to develop buildings to create s world-leading research cluster for biological sciences.
The project centres on redevelopment of the Darwin Building, a 1960s 11-storey tower block. The re-engineered and re-clad building will provide laboratories for more than 350 researchers. The scheme has been designed by architect Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios.
The works include a three-storey extension housing a lecture theatre, seminar spaces meeting rooms and a cafe.
The tower was vacated in September 2015 and the plan is to start stripping out asbestos in July 2016, with a planned completion 18 months later.
Subject to funding approvals, it is then hoped that the tower can be fully re-clad using a double-skin cladding system to enhance both appearance and energy performance.
The building will also be refurbished to provide approximately 16,500 m2 of new research space by autumn 2020.
Interested contractors have until 26th May 2016 to return prequalification questionnaires. To access the tender documentation see www.publictendersscotland.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk and search for project Code 5917 under PQQs Open to All Suppliers.
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