About the Project

Construction of 10-storey academic block, completed in 96 weeks.

Ecstatic critics, design awards by the bushel and a thrilled client all testify to Jeremy Eavis’s collaborative approach, construction vision and technical expertise. He made a reality of the signature architect’s internal concept of six 6.5m-high concrete trees from which 28 large-span cantilevered branches project.

Jeremy championed early prototyping, building a full-scale replica tree beam, a steel tree beam node, and numerous types of the 1,200 precast panels. Given the size of the windows and the tight tolerances of the precast panels, he eliminated the battle for fixing locations by instigating BIM clash detection. His introduction of a rainscreen also allowed the internal fit-out to start before the lengthy precast facade installation was complete.

His extensive £2.6m value engineering exercise achieved the client’s budget while preserving the key quality features. He adopted render in place of stonework back of house, swapped granite external benching for precast, and remodelled the plant layout.

He had three offices finished a year ahead of completion for early snagging. It allowed quality standards to be set and provided reference points for the delivery of the other 300+ offices. And he used BIM 360 for a controlled completion and handover of all rooms in pristine condition. With zero defects at practical completion and fewer than 20 minor snags, the quality facts speak for themselves.