University of Southampton, Nightingale Building

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Refurbishment of the Nightingale Building at the University of Southampton

CLIENT: University of Southampton
VALUE: £900k
CLIENT REPRESENTATIVE: Cliftons Projects

The University of Southampton’s School of Health Sciences is a renowned institution dedicated to healthcare research, education, and innovation. Within this school, the Nightingale Building serves as a hub for the Department of Nursing and Midwifery and the Department of Allied Health Professions. The building supports the training of future healthcare professionals by housing mock-up ward areas and various teaching and conference facilities.

To align with new NHS standards (HBNs/HTMs) and enhance the functionality of the facility, the university embarked on an extensive refurbishment project. This initiative aimed to reconfigure existing spaces and add new rooms to better serve the needs of the degree programs being taught, such as nursing, midwifery, physiotherapy, podiatry, and cardiac physiology.

Scope of Works

Following a competitive tendering process, we were appointed as the main contractor under a JCT traditional contract. The design had progressed to RIBA Stage 3, with Hawkins\Brown leading the architectural efforts and our team providing cost advice throughout the process. The scope of works included:

  • Surveys and Compliance: Conducting delap surveys, asbestos surveys, and a fire integrity survey. These revealed deficiencies in fire protection, necessitating additional work beyond the initial project scope.
  • Internal Refurbishment: Transforming existing spaces to meet NHS specifications, including mock-up wards with beds and updated training facilities and conference rooms.
  • Mechanical and Electrical Upgrades: Overhauling ventilation and lighting systems to meet modern standards.
  • Design Adjustments: Collaborating closely with the design team and client stakeholders to refine the design and address practical issues encountered during implementation.
  • Fire Stopping: Implementing fire stopping measures that required working in live areas and scheduling works outside of operational hours to minimise disruption.

Challenges and Solutions

  1. Design Discrepancies: Initial design solutions developed did not perform as expected on-site. To address this, we organised engagement meetings with the design team and client to refine and finalise the design and scope of the project.
  2. Operational Coordination: Given that the building was in use during the refurbishment, extensive coordination with building users and managers was essential. We scheduled works to minimise disruption, including programming tasks outside of operational hours and managing access through main corridors.
  3. Environmental Considerations: We maximised the use of client space, avoiding the need for temporary accommodations. Additionally, we achieved a significant environmental milestone by diverting 96% of waste from landfill.
  4. Local Supply Chain Utilisation: Leveraging our established supply chain and direct labour, 66% of suppliers and subcontractors were sourced from within 30 miles.

Client Engagement and Successes

Despite the contract type, we maintained robust client engagement at no additional cost. Our understanding of university operations, fire safety, and security procedures enabled us to align our work seamlessly with the institution’s requirements. The successful completion of the refurbishment not only brought the Nightingale Building up to current NHS standards but also enhanced the learning environment for students across multiple healthcare disciplines.