Royal Holloway, University of London, has awarded the contract to build its new flagship library and student services centre to Osborne.
Enabling work is to begin this summer, with main work starting in early November 2015.
The total development will cost £48m, the college said. The value of Osborne’s contract was not disclosed but was estimated at £25m when the contract notice was published last year. [See our previous report here.]
The new building has been designed by Associated Architects and will have a copper-clad wing, anodised aluminium curtain walling, terracotta cladding and granite cladding to the ground floor. Large expanses of glazing will frame and reflect views of the Victorian Founder’s building opposite.
The completed building will provide 1,154 study spaces, 12.6km of book shelving and an internal gross area of 10,592m2. It has been designed to achieve a BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Methodology) excellent rating. Completion is expected by September 2017.
Osborne managing director for construction John Craig said: “We are delighted to have been awarded this contract. It is a prestigious and challenging project, and collaboration at all stages will be a key factor in successful delivery.”
College principal Paul Layzell said: “We look forward to working with Osborne on our new flagship Library and Student Services Centre. This will be a stunning and modern building that has been designed to complement our historic Grade I Listed Founder’s building and meet the 21st century needs of our students and staff. The design is visually exciting and will provide new spaces inside and out that will enrich campus life around the clock.”