Makeover for Boarding Accommodation at Eton

Beard’s Guildford team is engaged on a second construction project for Eton College in Berkshire to refurbish and upgrade boarding accommodation in a contract valued at over £700,000.

Due for completion in August 2011, the project incorporates alterations and high quality improvements to some 50 study-bedrooms, communal areas and private staff quarters at Farrer House and follows a similar project to upgrade boy’s accommodation at Evans’s House, which the team completed last year.

This is a ‘live’ college environment with an occupied building, presenting a number of challenges for the team. The work is being carried out in seven phases with a number of boys moving into alternative living areas while work progresses. Temporary partitioning from the rest of the building and careful scheduling of noisy construction activities are helping to minimise disruption to the daily life of the boarding house.

“This is our second refurbishment project at Eton and we are delighted that the college has placed their confidence in us. Our approach to managing projects like this and the strong relationships we build with staff are crucial factors in delivering on expectation.  Health and safety is a paramount concern, especially as we also have to deal with asbestos at each phase, and masking construction activity to remain as inconspicuous as possible will be a key goal throughout the project.” Peter Aulsberry, Contracts Manager, Beard Guildford.