Willmott Dixon

Willmott Dixon secures £46.5m University of Birmingham contract



Willmott Dixon has been awarded a £46.5m contract to deliver a new home for the University of Birmingham’s school of engineering.


The new building (pictured above) will be home to both the school of engineering and UKRRIN Rail Digital Systems Innovation Centre (DSIC).

The development will offer a variety of contemporary design and research spaces that act as an incubator for innovation and strengthens teaching and research partnerships.

It will also provide increased space for the school’s projected growth.

The building has been designed by Birmingham-based Associated Architects and the interiors will feature exposed structural elements such as supports, pipework and services, providing a practical display of its own engineering.

This will be the second time that Willmott Dixon has been appointed by the University of Birmingham for a major project this year – bringing the value of work being delivered by the company for the university to nearly £90m. 

“The new school of engineering provides a clear visual statement for the university,” said Nick Gibb, deputy managing director for Willmott Dixon in the Midlands. 

“It will be driving interest in the STEM subjects, something that we will be supporting ourselves through the creation of opportunities for work placements.”

The relocation of the school of engineering is part of the university’s plan to bring schools together on the campus creating, in this instance, an engineering hub.

“This new building represents a celebration of engineering and will be a centrepiece of our new engineering hub,” said Daniel Holmes of the University of Birmingham. 

“The ongoing collaborative relationship that we have with Willmott Dixon – along with the quality of delivery of [its] completed projects – gives us significant confidence that [it] will deliver this landmark building.

“The school of engineering has been designed, and will be delivered, with collaboration between the university and industry at its heart, enabling research and teaching excellence to be celebrated and showcased.” 



Leave a comment