Bristol Dental School

  • Client

    University of Bristol

  • Contractor

  • Value

    £25.4M

  • Completion Date

    July 2023

This project highlights a pivotal industry shift, demonstrating that choosing the more challenging path can yield extraordinary results.

Contracted by the University of Bristol through the Southern Construction Framework, we refurbished and repurposed a central property to create a new undergraduate clinical facility. This project enables the Bristol Dental School to offer free dental treatment to city patients.  The new facility will accommodate up to 400 patients per day, while approximately 200 students receive teaching and training on site each day.

Architect:

BDP

PQS:

RLB

Structural Engineer:

Integral

Principal Contractor:

Kier Construction 

The Challenge

The flexible design maximised the use of existing floor plates and positions of stair cores, risers, and toilet areas. However, the inner-city location in central Bristol created logistical challenges, further complicated by the early start of the Bristol district heating network. Additionally, unforeseen issues like water ingress and fire detailing posed significant challenges.

The Solution

Early opening-up surveys and a full MEP services survey helped identify and address concealed issues, informing the client of potential problems and ensuring they were included in project costs. Our experienced site teams crafted logistics strategies to minimise disruptions and ensure smooth delivery of equipment and materials despite the central Bristol location’s logistical challenges. Remedial action required external access platforms and rope access crews for difficult areas like the 4-storey atrium, while fire integrity of the existing steel frame was maintained with an intumescent spray, necessitating detailed interface judgments and resequencing, which required patience from the supply chain.

The Results

In the first three months following opening, over 17,000 patient treatments were delivered. The city’s capacity for NHS111 Urgent Dental Care appointments has doubled, now treating over 1,500 patients in pain and without a dentist, exceeding the 700 visits initially planned. Outreach efforts connected with 11 primary schools, recruiting approximately 500 child patients who previously lacked access to an NHS dentist. A formal referral system for homeless patients was successfully piloted in collaboration with BrisDoc Homeless Health Service. Additionally, in partnership with Bridge2Aid, dental students provided oral health education to staff at 16 care homes and two reablement centres, supporting 90 carers and over 700 residents.

4

Apprentices

86%

Project value spent within 30-mile radius

SME Spend

9/10

Client Satisfaction

Contractor Performance | Commitments

Fair

Payments adhered to the framework Fair Charter, promoting collaboration and a strong, resilient, and sustainable supply chain.  Despite challenges of war and hyperinflation, we proactively supported the supply chain with early orders for off-site storage of materials, relieving cost pressures. Recognising constraints faced by some partners due to their involvement in other projects, we prioritised cashflow through early payments to ensure uninterrupted delivery.

Sustainability

The choice of the building was key to enhancing the project’s sustainability. The existing mechanical and electrical equipment reduced rework, waste, and the use of concrete and steel. During preconstruction, we collaborated with the University on an enabling works package, conducted a comprehensive survey, and created a 3D model. We modified the design to minimise riser penetrations by repurposing existing openings, reducing additional structural work. Additionally, we preserved existing windows, walls, roof structures, and atriums, significantly reducing the project’s embodied carbon load.

Safe

Zero RIDDORS and 372,420 accident-free man hours

Legacy

759 Trainee Weeks, 17 Work Experience Weeks

492 Apprentice Weeks, 12 Jobs Created

£28m Social Value ROI, £9808 Community Donations & Fundraising

£3767 Social Enterprises, £8552 Community Support & Education

Aftercare

Kier maintained dialogue with the University’s Clerk of Works during the snagging process and although challenging at times, persevered to deliver a great quality building which has had minimal defects.

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Client Testimonials

”The success of our new Dental School project in Temple Quarter stemmed from the strong partnership between Kier and the University of Bristol, overcoming time pressures, site challenges, and ambitious goals. The entire team, from Managing Director downward, showcased a collaborative ethos, open communication, and a shared vision, promptly addressing any issues. The pre-construction team worked closely with multiple end users and stakeholders to develop the design for a complex refurbishment. Kier’s commitment resulted in state-of-the-art dental healthcare for Bristol and its surrounding communities”.

Awards

Insider Property Awards | Fitout/Refurbishment Project of the Year

Bristol Property Awards | Transformation Project AND Civic and Community Project

Education Estates Awards | Contractor of the Year

SCF Framework Manager

Kingsley Clarke

Email: kingsley.clarke@devon.gov.uk

Phone: 07805760622

Contractor Framework Manager

James Parr

Email: james.parr@kier.co.uk

Phone: 07794 218 011

Woolwich Creative District