Construction is officially underway on the University of Bath’s R7 student accommodation development, marking an important milestone for a major new addition to the University’s Claverton Down campus.

Fulkers Bailey Russell (Fulkers) is appointed as Lead Quantity Surveyor for the project, providing cost management and commercial expertise to support the University in delivering 926 new en-suite student bedrooms, together with communal, social and ancillary spaces.

This major development will create a high-quality, sustainable living environment for students while supporting the University’s wider commitment to a healthy, sustainable and active campus.

Supporting the project from procurement to construction

Fulkers involvement began at feasibility stage when early viability studies supported the University’s decision to progress with the scheme.

Our team undertook a detailed procurement analysis to establish the most appropriate route for a project of this scale and complexity, carefully considering cost certainty, programme efficiency, risk and prevailing market conditions.

Following this analysis, we recommended a two-stage design and build procurement strategy, enabling early contractor engagement and greater collaboration between the design and construction teams.

This approach has helped create the conditions for informed decision-making as the design has developed, while managing commercial risk and maintaining focus on the University’s objectives for quality, sustainability and long-term value.

With construction now underway, reaching the groundbreaking milestone is a significant moment for the University and the wider project team.

A sustainable new student community

Located on the eastern side of the University’s campus, adjacent to the Sports Training Village and athletics track, the development will place students at the heart of one of the UK’s leading university sporting environments.

The new accommodation will comprise en-suite student bedrooms alongside communal kitchens and social spaces, study areas, laundry and other flexible facilities designed to support student wellbeing and campus life.

Its location also plays an important role in the scheme. Upper-level accommodation will benefit from views across the athletics track, while the external works include a landscaped viewing mound that further connects the development with its sporting surroundings.

The project will also deliver two covered padel courts, adding to the University’s existing sports and leisure provision and supporting its ambition to encourage an active campus community.

Embedding sustainability and long-term value

Sustainability is central to the development.

Designed to Passivhaus standards and in line with the University’s Sustainable Buildings Standard, the project takes a fabric-first approach to energy efficiency and incorporates measures including air source heat pumps.

For Fulkers, achieving these ambitions means looking beyond initial capital cost. Our cost management and whole-life costing expertise is helping the project team assess decisions in the context of long-term performance, operational efficiency, durability and value.

By bringing together commercial insight, market knowledge and collaborative working, we are supporting the University and its project partners in balancing ambitious sustainability targets with cost, quality and programme requirements.

The result will be much more than additional student bedrooms. R7 is being developed as a future-focused student community that combines high-quality accommodation, shared spaces, access to sport and a strong emphasis on environmental performance.

With the groundbreaking ceremony complete and construction now underway, we’re proud to be playing a key role in helping the University of Bath bring that vision to life.