As part of wider refurbishment works taking place at Oxford Brookes University’s Headington Campus, work has been completed to increase the number of teaching spaces available to staff and students and improve existing buildings. 

Completed over the summer in preparation for the new academic year, parts of the John Henry Brookes Building have been redeveloped over ten weeks to create two new large teaching spaces. 

Stepnell, which heavily specialises in the higher education sector, completed mechanical and electrical works along with necessary demolitions and construction of the new streamlined office space. 

As part of the project Stepnell also undertook improvement works on the Headington Campus’ Gibbs building over a nine-week period. 

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Oxford Brookes upgrades (Image: Contributed) Ian Batchelor, operations manager at Stepnell, said: “These refurbishment projects have allowed us to showcase our expertise, not only in the education realm but also within Oxford and south of England.

"Working alongside our Oxford-based team and their knowledge of the local supply chain, our construction and joinery capabilities have shone in support of the university’s ongoing ambitions for its campus. 

“We have been able to demonstrate our clear understanding of live site working, which is incredibly common within education projects, working with our project partners collaboratively on elements such as dust suppression and noise control plans, to ensure that teaching quality retains its already high standard.

"We’re pleased to have been able to call on our expertise to prepare the buildings in sufficient time before the new academic year.” 

Mark Tugwell, deputy director of estates at Oxford Brookes University, said: “The creation of two large teaching spaces within our John Henry Brookes Building has been an important project for the University.

"As part of our Oxford Campus Vision we are in the process of bringing together our Oxford-based activity on the Headington Campus and these high-quality spaces and improvements to the Gibbs building will help to ensure we continue providing an excellent student and staff experience. 

“Our campus spaces need to respond to the evolving needs of the University’s community and the rapidly changing world of education.

"We are pleased to have worked with Stepnell on this project as they have helped to make this a reality and understood the importance of ensuring work was completed in time for the new academic year.” 

Offered as standard throughout all of Stepnell’s projects in both the private and public sector, increased focus on social value impact was considered throughout the project. As part of this, Stepnell offered project placement work for students in relevant study courses at the university.