EIC comes top of the class
Diversity of education projects provides boost for EIC
Establishing itself firmly as an experienced and respected provider of building services to the education sector, EIC is celebrating ‘the double’: the commencement of a new project in the Midlands, and the completion of a three-year, three-phase Building Schools for the Future (BSF) scheme in London.
Its latest project is the design and installation of a £1.1m mechanical and electrical engineering contract for the new £12m Creative Industries Centre at Stourbridge College in Brierley Hill, West Midlands. This is an exciting new building, which has been independently financed following the withdrawal of funding originally pledged by the Learning and Skills Council. Its aim is to provide state-of-the-art facilities as part of a long-term investment and regeneration programme for the area. Architects Pick Everard and main contractor BAM Construction are working towards BREEAM ‘very good’ status for the glass-fronted building which maximises the use of natural light and ventilation. EIC’s M&E solution will also contribute to the overall energy efficiency and performance of the building.
The start of the new project comes just as EIC completes a three-year programme as mechanical and electrical specialists on the Stockwell Park High School building project in Lambeth, London. Appointed by main contractor Willmott Dixon back in 2008, EIC has been on site throughout the three phases of delivery of this £6.2m mechanical and electrical installation programme.
John Harris, director for EIC, said: “I’m delighted to have secured the Stourbridge College contract, the Creative Industries Centre is set to be an incredible and inspirational building and it’s a great project to be a part of. Equally, the team is thrilled to have handed over the final part of the Stockwell Park High School project after three years of involvement with the scheme.
“It’s particularly satisfying to see the Stourbridge scheme come on line at a time when the education sector is experiencing the impact of the BSF funding cuts and having to look really closely at costs and budget reductions. Stourbridge College was itself a casualty of these cuts, but its staff have worked very hard to find a way of delivering an exciting building which represents excellent value for money.
“We are greatly looking forward to starting this project and are committed to understanding the college’s needs and aligning our solutions to fit.
“With almost 40 years’ experience in the sector, we have the knowledge and expertise to anticipate our clients’ requirements, undertaking work which offers best whole life value and maximises cost savings.”
EIC’s experience in the education sector includes work for St Anne’s Primary School in Chelmsley Wood, the City of London Academy in Islington, Uxbridge High School, the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, North East Worcester College, Oxford University’s Medical Sciences Teaching Centre and Le Rondin in Guernsey.