Design-modelling services

Tender description

The University of Cambridge is seeking to engage the services of an Information Management (BIM) company to work as part of a multidisciplinary team to plan and develop Phase 2 of the North West Cambridge Development. The University faces increasing competition for the most able staff and students from across the globe and its reputation is affected by its ability to continue to recruit and retain the very best people in this environment. The University intends to remain among the world’s leading universities and North West Cambridge is a key component of realising that ambition. Because 1 of the factors in maintaining the University’s ability to attract and retain staff is a lack of suitable accommodation in the Cambridge area, in response to these needs, North West Cambridge has been developed as 1 part of the University’s response to challenges of affordable and fit for purpose housing in Cambridge, as well as to provide growth opportunities for student accommodation and academic and commercial research space. North West Cambridge will be an integrated part of the City, and the vision for the North West Cambridge Development is “To create a new district and extension to the City, centred around a mixed academic and urban community: a place that is sustainable, long-lasting and ambitious, offering a high quality of life to enhance both the City and the University”. The Phase 1 Development of Eddington has successfully delivered infrastructure, buildings and landscapes fully aligned with the vision created at the outset of the North West Cambridge Development. Phase 1 has been recognised as world leading by multiple awards as diverse as Best Masterplan at the World Architecture Fair and Masterplan of the Year at the Architects Journal Awards, to Innovation award finalist at the National Recycling Awards. In response to the evolving University needs, market context, and emerging outcomes from Phase 1, the following strategic objectives have been identified for Phase 2, which, together with Phase 1 will contribute to the growing identity of Eddington: — maximise the amount of housing for University and College staff, at a range of affordability levels. The accommodation should reflect the University’s current and anticipated housing needs, given the targeted staff groups, — make best use of University land through efficient distribution of uses and release of land, — enable future academic and student growth opportunities through the provision of serviced sites, — reinforce and strengthen the community, residents and visitors facilities established in Phase 1, — establish and reinforce a strong sense of place, — complete the housing in reasonably-sized neighbourhoods so the development “feels complete” at the end of the Phase, — promote and embed principles of sustainability and lower impact living into the plans (covering all aspects of sustainability, including carbon, water, ecology and transport). Phase 2 is proposed to include: — a new junction, a new primary road, all supporting infrastructure to enable Phase 2 (including Primary Roads, Landscaping and Open Spaces, Foul, Storm and SUDS networks, District Heating Network, Utilities), University Housing, — market Housing, Academic Sites, Commercial Research Sites, — student Accommodation, other elements such as Nursery, sports pitches, allotments, infrastructure, public realm and car parking. This appointment is intended to run until the end of RIBA stage 3. It may be extended to cover the Infrastructure works across Phase 2. There may also be opportunities to extend provision of this discipline to apply to more aspects of Phase 2. Any further requirement beyond the initial appointment will be subject to University approval of funding to proceed with the implementation of Phase 2, satisfactory performance and the inclusion of appropriate gateways. There may be opportunities for the successful consultant to work with the Operations team to provide advice and support to maintain the full extent of the Operational and Non-Development estate.