ºÚ¶´ÉçÇø

Read our policy.

Design issues for specialist space
Libraries and learning resource centres
Design driversSolutions
Continuing expansion of library collectionsGreater use of electronic journals, provision of flexible internal accommodation to allow for growth of hard and soft copy collections
Increasing requirements for group-based workingProvide separate spaces for quiet and group working and special consideration of acoustic management in open-plan areas
Greater use of ITProvide central IT resource areas to reduce network costs and to control noise. Increase space allowances to permit screen and desk working. Provide quiet work space for book-based study
Environmental controlMaximise natural ventilation and daylight where possible. Restrict use of cooling to archive and IT areas only where conditions require it
Research facilitiesÌý
Need to attract research scientists and external fundingHigh-quality architecture, high standards of internal and external environment and up-to-date equipment
Facilitation of creative multidisciplinary workingProvision of hierarchy of workplaces to enable group and solo working and range of spaces to encourage interaction
Flexibility to accommodate changeFlexible fit-out and servicing solutions that facilitate replanning and restacking
Separation of undergraduate teaching and graduate research activitiesClear separation of activities either through the development of stand-alone buildings or the internal planning of larger schemes
LaboratoriesÌý
Close environmental controlExtensive, high-capacity building services, large ceiling voids, solid floor slabs to control vibration and avoid infestation in floor voids
Quality of working environmentQuality of write-up areas, flexibility of lab space and quality of natural light and air-conditioning systems
FlexibilityModular laboratory design and services distribution, easily accessible services installations, independent structure and services
Security to protect research projects and equipmentPhysical and electronic security measures, balanced against requirements to promote interaction between researchers. Specialist security for animal houses and other high-risk areas
Teaching spacesÌý
Flexible floorplatesColumn-free space, lightweight partitions, regular planning grid, small power and IT distribution equivalent to commercial office standards to provide flexibility for replanning
High-quality spaceShallow floor plates of 12-15 m for daylight and natural ventilation, clear orientation, use of atriums to provide circulation and social space, use of good-quality, robust materials
Low operational costsNatural ventilation, limited cooling and ventilation for peak lopping only, and use of cost-effective sustainability features
Cost breakdown
Element costcost/m2 gfa £
Substructure 979,000 222.5
Basement construction; excavation and disposal; reinforced insitu concrete ground beams, walls and suspended slab; vapour barrier and protection board; average depth 4.60 m 1300 m2 @ 400ÌýÌý
Piling; 600 diameter; average 35 m long; testing; disposal 48 @ 2500 ÌýÌý
Contiguous piling; 450 and 600 diameter; average 17 m long; testing; disposal 190 @ 1400ÌýÌý
Allowance for additional foundation works Item @ 3000 ÌýÌý
Allowance for incoming services Item @ 70,000 ÌýÌý
Frame and upper floors 718,000163.18
Insitu reinforced concrete columns, core walls and suspended slabs; 400 thick 4000 m2 @ 170ÌýÌý
Extra for exposed trough slab; 400 thick 1450 m2 @ 8 ÌýÌý
Structural steel frame; hollow sections at roof level; surface finishes; erection 24t @ 1100 ÌýÌý
Roof307,100 69.8
Zinc raised seam roofing; 0.8 mm thick; low pitch; softwood roof members, plywood deck; vapour barrier, insulation 425 m2 @ 130 ÌýÌý
Inverted mastic asphalt roof; lightweight screed, average 105 thick; isolating layer; rigid board insulation; gravel ballast, 80 mm thick; including detailing to kerbs for plant and rooflights 495m2 @ 120ÌýÌý
Proprietary opening rooflights; double glazed; Velux; average size 1 m2 32 @ 1000ÌýÌý
Purpose made patent glazing; aluminium glazing bars; sealed double glazed units 280 m2 @ 350ÌýÌý
Allowance for flashings; fascias; sheathing felt etc Item @ 20,000ÌýÌý
Rainwater goods; gutters and roof outlets Item 14,000ÌýÌý
Cleaning gantry Item @ 18,000 ÌýÌý
Mansafe system Item @ 5,200 ÌýÌý
Pavement rooflights; smoke vents 12 m2 @ 440 ÌýÌý
Stairs97,000 22.05
Insitu reinforced concrete stairs and half landings; 1600 wide; 3.7 m average rise 8 @ 4800ÌýÌý
Allowance for balustrades and handrails 190 m @ 140 ÌýÌý
Allowance for roof level access ladders 4 @ 3,000 ÌýÌý
Allowance for catwalks and platforms in plant rooms Item @ 20,000 ÌýÌý
External walls208,500 47.39
Cavity wall construction; facing bricks; blockwork; DPCs; insulation; lintels 345 m2 @ 100 ÌýÌý
Cavity wall construction; facing bricks; built against concrete walls; DPCs; insulation; lintels 690 m2 @ 80 ÌýÌý
Precast concrete copings 250 m @ 75ÌýÌý
Windows and external doors 301,200 68.45
Proprietary steel-framed, double-glazed windows; polyester powder-coated 75 m2 @ 380ÌýÌý
Curtain walling; steel frame; sealed double-glazed units ; insulated steel-faced spandel panels; polyester powder-coated 470m2 @ 450ÌýÌý
Clerestory windows; sealed double-glazed louvre motorised units; controls 30 m2 @ 900ÌýÌý
External doors; double-glazed, steel-framed doors and doorsets; polyester powder-coated; stainless steel ironmongery 10 @ 1700ÌýÌý
External doors; aluminium louvre doors and doorsets; polyester powder-coated; stainless steel ironmongery 7 @ 800ÌýÌý
Allowance for security shutters Item @ 2000ÌýÌý
Window boards; painted 320 m 30ÌýÌý
Internal walls and partitions160,000 36.36
Partitions; facing blockwork; 150 average thickness (average rate); ancillaries 1340 m2 @ 40ÌýÌý
Extra over for 215 thick blockwork 450 m2 @ 15ÌýÌý
Stud partition; ancillaries; acoustic sealants 1600 m2 @ 50ÌýÌý
Allowance for fire-rated drylining to service risers 360 m2 @ 40ÌýÌý
Cubicle partitions; polyester powder-coated, steel-faced composite panels 12 @ 440 ÌýÌý
Internal doors 177,900 40.43
Flush doors; solid core; ply-faced; vision panels; wrot softwood frame; 30/30 fire resistance; stainless steel door furniture; decorations 200 @ 800 ÌýÌý
Extra for; oak veneer finish 70 @ 170 ÌýÌý
Allowance for borrowed lights Item @ 6000 ÌýÌý
Wall finishes 71,600 16.27
Plasterboard wall linings; timber battens; ancillaries 2070 m2 @ 14 ÌýÌý
Two-coat plasterwork 1060 m2 @ 10 ÌýÌý
Skim coat; to plasterboard 760 m2 @ 4 ÌýÌý
Ceramic tiles 100 m2 @ 50 ÌýÌý
Painting plaster two coats emulsion paint 8000 m2 @ 3 ÌýÌý
Floor finishes348,00079.09
Hardwood flooring; clear lacquer finish 100 m2 @ 80 ÌýÌý
Raised access floor; 150 average cavity depth; dust sealer to cavity 2600 m2 @ 50 ÌýÌý
Extra for acoustic and fire cavity barriers 2600 m2 @ 5 ÌýÌý
Allowance for floor diffusers 260 @ 100ÌýÌý
Allowance for services bridges Item @ 5000ÌýÌý
Screeds; sand cement and proprietary concrete screeds; average 60 thick; ÌýÌý
average rate used 825 m2 @ 20ÌýÌý
Extra for insulation board 140 m2 @ 18ÌýÌý
Carpet tile; to general areas 2900 m2 @ 30ÌýÌý
Rubber tile safety flooring; skirting 210 m2 @ 56 ÌýÌý
Rubber sheet flooring; to general areas 680 m2 @ 37 ÌýÌý
Floor paint; to plant rooms 390 m2 @ 4 ÌýÌý
Softwood skirting; painted 1950 m @ 10 ÌýÌý
Ceiling finishes 63,90014.52
Allowance for mats and matwells Item @ 2000 ÌýÌý
Suspended ceilings; plasterboard on MF; access panels; paint finish 750 m2 @ 30 ÌýÌý
Allowance for radiant panel ceiling Item @ 22,000 ÌýÌý
Plasterboard linings; access panels; paint finish 560 m2 @ 20 ÌýÌý
Painting; to exposed concrete ribbed soffits; one coat clear sealer 4100 m2 @ 2 ÌýÌý
Furniture 307,00069.77
Purpose-made fixed furniture; tables and seating to non-teaching areas Item @ 150,000 ÌýÌý
Reception desk Item @ 20,000ÌýÌý
Lecture theatre and seminar room equipment; whiteboards, hanging rails, ÌýÌý
flipcharts and pinboards Item @ 60,000ÌýÌý
Fixed seating to lecture theatre 200 @ 150ÌýÌý
Window blinds 300 m2 @ 50ÌýÌý
Motorised blind to skylight Item @ 5000ÌýÌý
Blackout blinds to teaching spaces Item @ 25,000 ÌýÌý
Statutory and orientation signage Item @ 2000 ÌýÌý
Sanitary fittings 54,40012.36
WCs, urinals, washhand basins, fittings; cleaners’ sinks; complete (average rate) 80 @ 260 ÌýÌý
Extra for fittings for disabled WCs 5 @ 400 ÌýÌý
IPS system panels; including access panels; ancillaries 80 m2 @ 200 ÌýÌý
Modular washroom units; stainless steel 8 @ 1600 ÌýÌý
Hand dryers 14 @ 200 ÌýÌý
Disposal installations 103,600 23.55
Rainwater downpipes, outlets and connections to drains 4400 m2 @ 10 ÌýÌý
Extra for basement drainage 1300 m2 @ 12 ÌýÌý
Waste, soil and vent installation; PVCu pipework and fittings 4400 m2 @ 10 ÌýÌý
Water installations 83,400 18.95
Mains water; cold water storage and distribution, water treatment 4400 m2 @ 10 ÌýÌý
Hot water installation; calorifiers; distribution; insulation 4400 m2 @ 6 ÌýÌý
Local water heaters; distribution; insulation Item @ 13,000 ÌýÌý
Space heating and air treatment 583,600 132.64
Boiler; 575 kW, pumpset and pipework in plantroom; flue Item @ 62,000ÌýÌý
Chilled water plant; 260kW; pipework and valves in plantrooms and risers Item @ 49,000ÌýÌý
Air handling units; supply and extract; total mass flow rate 17 kg/s Item @ 82,000ÌýÌý
LTHW distribution pipework; ancillaries; insulation 4400 m2 @ 20ÌýÌý
Chilled water distribution pipework; ancillaries; insulation 1930 m2 @ 10ÌýÌý
Supply and extract ductwork; grilles and diffusers; ancillaries; including allowances for two-hour fire-rated smoke extract ductwork 1930 m2 @ 90ÌýÌý
LTHW heating; trench heating Item @ 26,000ÌýÌý
LTHW heating; panel radiators Item @ 34,000ÌýÌý
Allowance for radiant panel heating and cooling installation to double height spaces 485 m2 @ 40ÌýÌý
Allowance for supplementary cooling to ICT rooms; packaged DX units Item @ 17,000ÌýÌý
Toilet extract installation 4400 m2 @ 3ÌýÌý
Electrical installations 444,500 101.02
Mains and sub – mains installation 4400 m2 @ 20 ÌýÌý
Small power installation 4400 m2 @ 20 ÌýÌý
Extra over for small power to offices and IT areas; floor outlet boxes 1800 m2 @ 5 ÌýÌý
Lighting and luminaires; generally 4400 m2 @ 35 ÌýÌý
Extra for enhanced lighting; public spaces and cellular offices 1700 m2 @ 45 ÌýÌý
Emergency lighting; generally 4400 m2 @ 5 ÌýÌý
Power supply installation to mechanical equipment Item @ 7000 ÌýÌý
Gas installation 13,000 2.95
Gas supply to central boiler and kitchen area Item @ 13,000 ÌýÌý
Lift installation 86,000 19.55
Four-person electric traction lift serving five floors 2 @ 43000 ÌýÌý
Protective installations 22,200 5.05
Lightning protection 4400 m2 @ 2 ÌýÌý
Earthing and bonding 4400 m2 @ 1 ÌýÌý
Dry riser 1 @ 9000 ÌýÌý
Communications installation 152,900 34.75
Fire alarm installation; smoke detectors; call points 4400 m2 @ 15ÌýÌý
Disabled alarm Item @ 3000ÌýÌý
Structured cabling installation; 120% capacity 1250 m2 @ 25ÌýÌý
Security and access control system; intruder alarm 4400 m2 @ 4ÌýÌý
Allowance for CCTV system Item @ 20000ÌýÌý
Telephone and data wireways; for ICT, CCTV and security systems Item @ 15000ÌýÌý
Special installations 110,000 25
ºÚ¶´ÉçÇø management system 4400 m2 @ 25 ÌýÌý
Builder's work in connection 82,700 18.8
Forming holes, chases etc Allow 5% Item @ 82700 ÌýÌý
Preliminaries and contingencies995,800226.32
Testing and commissioning of services; record drawings Item @ 10,000 ÌýÌý
Management costs, site establishment and site supervision Allow 13% Item @ 711,800 ÌýÌý
Contingency sum Allow 5% Item @ 274,000 ÌýÌý
Total construction cost – building only6,471,300 1470.75
Location factors
Inner London1.06
South-east0.97
South-west0.91
East Midlands0.90
West Midlands0.89
East Anglia0.91
Yorkshire and Humberside0.85
North-west0.90
Northern0.86
Scotland0.87
Wales0.85
Northern Ireland0.73
Indicative costs of university buildings
ºÚ¶´ÉçÇø type £/m2 gifa
Humanities teaching building 1100 to 1600
Science laboratory buildings 1500 to 2400
Libraries 1300 to 2000
Learning resource centres 1300 to 1800
Lecture theatres 1300 to 1500
Costs are current in fourth quarter 2002, based on a location in outer London. Costs are for the building only, and exclude demolitions, loose furniture and fittings, external works, professional fees and VAT.