Architectural Services for 1974 Building Refurbishment

Tender description

MTU propose to undertake a refurbishment of the 1974 Building, located on its main cork campus in Bishopstown, Cork. The building accounts for almost 50% of total space and 60% of teaching space on the Bishopstown campus. This building accommodates classrooms, laboratories, workshops, student canteen and offices. The building would be considered the “Heart” of the campus and is fully occupied. The building is based on a prototype model developed in the 1970’s which was implemented in many of the Regional Technical Colleges across the country. The 1974 Building comprises approx. 30,000m2 over 2 storeys arranged primarily in a series of 4 parallel blocks. The layout of the building reflects the design philosophy at the time which was to create a highly flexible, modular type building which is capable of expansion. However, the building is now over 45 years old and it has issues with respect to the failing external fabric, heating/cooling and ventilation. The building has also suffered the enclosure of open space between blocks, ad hoc extensions, temporary buildings and containers which have taken away from original design and created a poor aesthetic appearance making the building appear to be a low-level industrial building rather than a third level institute. The main elements of the project include: • Replacement of windows, roof, building façade and upgrading of mechanical and electrical services throughout the building. • Extensive improvement to be made to the thermal properties of the building and greater control to be achieved through sophisticated zoning measures ensuring a more effective and sustainable building from an operational point of view. • Extensive upgrades to the buildings fire protection to be incorporated into the refurbishment works. This will see the building brought up to the latest standards and increase the level of protection for its occupants. • Improvements to be made to the building in terms of Universal Accessibility.