BAM Construct wins £50m net zero college job

BAM Construct has been appointed to deliver a new further education college in Somerset, a job worth more than £50 million.The firm has been appointed to redevelop the campus of Yeovil College over the next four years in a net zero development.BAM construction director Graham Kindgon said: “Our experience in circularity of materials, digital construction, engineering and designing for sustainability and in passive design techniques will assist us in meeting the needs of the modern learning environment and doing so responsibly.”He said the new campus will be based on the DfE’s sustainability principles, maximising natural light, using thermal mass to regulate internal temperatures, and integrating cross ventilation to improve air quality.Air source heat pumps will be used for heating and hot water, with dimmable LED lighting supplementing natural light.The buildings are designed to generate sufficient electricity throughout the year to meet their electrical demands.Kingdon said: “BAM is committed to quantify the embodied carbon of construction, providing valuable data allowing the college to reduce whole-life carbon across the campus.”Last year the DfE announced that Yeovil College was identified as a beneficiary of the FE Capital Transformation Fund.Yeovil College chief executive and principal Mark Bolton said: “The quality and appointment of these spaces will be amazing for our community, our business environment and our future learners, creating the spaces to fulfil our high aspirations.”Following a public consultation held this week, a planning application is set to be submitted before Christmas.