We take a look at the progress since construction started on the £11M Library Extension Project.

It was October 2019 that John Turner Construction took control of their site on the North West corner of the Library to commence what would be a 16 month construction project to build a four-storey extension to the Library building.

The project got off to a great start and by the end of November, they had prepared the ground and laid the foundations, ready for the steel frame to be installed. More than 125 tonnes of steel were delivered to site between Jan and March, and by April the frame was in, marking the completion of the first major milestone for the project team.

In mid-April, the team downed tools for around 4 weeks whilst they implemented measures that allowed them to work safely during the Coronavirus pandemic. The pandemic not only impacted the construction programme, but the supply chain too. Deliveries of materials became delayed causing the programme to be reviewed. The result, a delay of 7 weeks to project delivery.

Once John Turners had resumed, with a reduced team and maintaining a socially distanced site, construction was back in full swing. The team focussed on getting the roof on, floors in and the plant room built, which would allow them to begin the ‘first fix’ phase, fitting the initial ventilation, electrical and mechanical aspects of the build in the ceiling, walls and floors.

Whilst installation of Mechanical and Electrical fixings is still underway, partition walls and internal glazing are largely completed and are being plastered ready for painting and ‘final fix’ electrical and mechanical fixtures to be installed. The raised flooring is also being installed too.

Most recently, works started on the exterior of the building. The fitting of glazing to create the ‘window to the world’ that architects Scott Brownrigg envisioned in the designs is well underway. Landscaping works, which are typically one of the last phases of a project, are expected to commence from January 2021 onwards.

Another ‘finishing touch’ is the furniture installation. We hope to have this delivered around mid-December subject to the manufacture process. The carefully selected furniture will allow for around 400 new study spaces and was selected based on feedback from existing students and staff, whilst also considering the Library’s existing furniture type.

The electrical and mechanical installation will continue until the end of the project, which is now planned for completion in 12th February 2021.