News Ticker

Kier appointed as preferred bidder to deliver £19m Gresham’s STEAM building

  • Kier has been appointed as preferred bidder to deliver a brand-new science, technology, engineering, arts and maths facility at Gresham’s School in Holt, Norfolk
  • STEAM building has been funded by former-pupil Sir James Dyson and will include 4000m² of teaching space
  • Latest win for Kier builds on its relationship with Gresham’s School after it previously delivered its music and sixth form centre, the Britten building

16 January 2020 – Kier has been appointed as preferred bidder to deliver a new £19m science, technology, engineering, arts and maths (STEAM) facility for Gresham’s School in Holt, Norfolk.

The brand-new STEAM building will provide 4000m² of teaching space including:

  • Biology, Chemistry and Physics labs
  • Maths classrooms
  • Technology workshops including machine room, spray room, welding bay
  • 3D IT room with 3D printing facilities
  • Computer science classrooms
  • Arts department consisting of classrooms, screen printing facilities, Kiln, graphics room, photo room including dark room

It will be built on the existing school site, adjacent to the Britten building previously constructed by Kier.

It has been designed with a steel structure and will incorporate the latest eco technologies, including ground source heat pumps and photovoltaic panels. The building will utilise natural ventilation and natural daylight to reduce energy consumption.

The STEAM building has been funded by former Gresham’s pupil and Dyson founder Sir James Dyson, and designed by architects, WilkinsonEyre, one of the world’s leading architectural practices, successful in achieving back-to-back award wins of the Stirling and Lubetkin Prize.

The project will start on site in spring 2020 and is due for completion in summer 2021.

Dennis Cotton, operations director at Kier Regional Building Eastern, said: “This exciting project has always been a business target, further developing our successful relationship with Gresham’s school. We look forward to engaging with the school during the build process ensuring their operations are not affected in a very sensitive and tight site.”

This latest award win for Kier builds on its relationship with Gresham’s School, where it was previously the principal contractor on the Britten building. For the project, Kier built a sixth form centre, auditorium, teaching spaces and specialist music facilities which opened in 2017.