CONSTRUCTION services group NG Bailey has completed an £11.5 million contract as part of the biggest ever project undertaken in the 100-year history of one of the UK’s top research universities.

The Ilkley-based company provided all the electrical, mechanical and water distribution services for the flagship “super green” life sciences building at the University of Bristol, officially opened by naturalist and broadcaster Sir David Attenborough.

Created to inspire future scientists and researchers, the £56.5 million development is expected to cement the university’s role as a favoured filming location for Sir David and the BBC Natural History Unit.

The 13,580sq m building – designed by architects Sheppard Robson – will house the school of biological sciences and staff from other disciplines working in life sciences. Split into three zones, the state-of-the-art structure includes a five-storey laboratory wing, a double-height plant room and greenhouses for plant studies.

A central atrium, leads to the laboratory wing and a five-storey office wing with administration, computer facilities, seminar rooms and a cafe.

NG Bailey’s engineering, IT services and Bradford-based off-site manufacturing divisions worked on the project alongside main contractor Vinci Construction UK.

Work included the installation of CCTV and intruder detection, lighting control, and intercom systems as well as meeting the needs of disabled people.

Company specialists installed a system to collect rain water for flushing toilets and solar panels to heat water.

Steve Cox, NG Bailey project manager, said: “This was an 18-month project that drew upon a raft of different specialisms across the company, creating a building for a university ranked among the world’s top 30 that will become a beacon for science.

“It is a state-of-the-art facility and its innovative design – incorporating a ‘sky lounge’ and floating meeting pods – is a stand-out major asset.”

He said NG Bailey tried to reduce environmental impact by incorporating energy-efficient systems, adding: “With its significant energy saving measures and sympathetic design – including bat roosts and a green ‘living wall’ measuring 41 ft by 24 ft and containing more than 6,700 plants – the new life sciences building is a great example of what can be achieved.

“The building and surrounding area has been rated BREEAM Excellent, a mark of it being highly sustainable and environmental friendly.”