Birds of prey, five-a-side football and local fundraising have helped the firm behind new student accommodation for Aston University win national recognition. Midlands-based BAM Construction received an ‘exceptional’ score from industry improvement body the Considerate Constructors Scheme (CCS) for work on Aston Student Village Phase Two. The firm scored 37 out of 40, placing it well within the top three per cent of schemes in the whole country. BAM scored at least 4.5 out of 5 in every category, including environment, appearance, respect, safety and being a good neighbour. The CCS inspectors highlighted the company’s waste management efforts, which have seen 95% of waste currently diverted from landfill.
Awareness of wildlife was also complimented, with a kestral nesting in an adjacent building.
Charitable and community work has included weekly five-a-side football with proceeds donated to Birmingham Children’s Hospital. A windshield fitted to the 18 storey main tower cuts down on noise transmission and protects privacy from neighbouring student accommodation.
CCS monitor Tim Richardson described it as an “outstanding” site.
He said ‘Some really creative thinking has taken place and the site is assisting several very local charities and generally being a positive force in the area.’ BAM construction manager Ian French said: 'BAM takes immense pride in our work and try to ensure everybody in the community benefits from our presence. ‘This project will deliver top quality accommodation for students in Birmingham, and hopefully we are having a positive effect on many more people along the way.’
A few weeks ago, the scheme’s concrete frame sub-contractor went into administration and BAM stepped in to rescue around 70 jobs on its scheme so that neither the students nor the clients at the University would be affected. The company is scheduled to complete the £45 million project in July 2013. It forms the second of two major education developments for the City that the company is working on, because BAM has just completed Birmingham University’s Bramall Music Building. The delicate and specialised new building is acoustically superb and its hand-crafted brickwork allows it to blend in and complete the 100-year vision of Aston Webb.
