Durant Hall

The project involved refurbishing an existing Listed church and adjoining halls to create high-quality teaching facilities, lecture rooms and office space for the University. Working within the constraints of a historic building presented challenges around protecting its existing character and fabric while adapting the spaces for modern academic use. The project also had a tight budget, requiring careful management of construction costs alongside decisions affecting heritage features, building performance, sustainability and the overall quality of the completed teaching environment.

G&T provided Cost Management and Employer's Agent services, working closely with the university and key stakeholders to manage construction costs against the overall project budget. Careful consideration was given to interventions within the Listed building, including the replacement of existing Crittall-style windows and the repurposing of original church furniture and joinery. Our cost advice helped inform decisions as the design developed, balancing the investment required to improve the building with the need to retain important existing features and deliver high-quality teaching and working spaces.

The refurbishment has created high-quality teaching, lecture and office spaces while giving the Listed building a renewed purpose. Existing furniture and joinery have been retained and repurposed where appropriate, helping preserve the character of the former church, while improvements to the building fabric have enhanced its sustainability credentials and the quality of the internal environment. G&T’s Cost Management and Employer's Agent input helped the university balance heritage, quality and sustainability ambitions with the available budget, supporting informed decisions throughout the project.