The project involved the design and construction of the substructure and basement for the University of Bath’s new School of Management—an iconic, 12,000 sq.m, state-of-the-art education and research facility designed to foster collaboration between faculty, students, industry, and staff. Positioned at the main campus entrance, this two-storey building will be the first point of welcome for visitors and an architectural landmark for the university.

The enabling works package included drainage diversions, site clearance, bulk excavation, and full basement construction. To accommodate the building’s footprint within tight planning and physical constraints, contiguous bored pile walls were constructed along key sections of the perimeter—adjacent to existing buildings and roadways. Over a four-month period, controlled rock ripping and breaking operations successfully reduced the site to formation levels, ready for the main basement slab.

A core sustainability focus was embedded in the works, with the substructure concrete incorporating a 50% GGBS (Ground Granulated Blast-furnace Slag) cement replacement—significantly reducing embodied carbon and lowering the energy required during production. A functional concrete finish was specified throughout the basement, as these areas will be concealed by final finishes or allocated for plantroom use.

Crucially, the project team worked in close collaboration with the University’s Estates Department to ensure seamless coordination and minimise disruption across this busy, operational campus. Through careful planning, phased execution, and clear communication, the team successfully delivered the enabling works while maintaining safety, access, and continuity for campus users.