ICT design and solution delivery for Merrist Wood

Merrist Wood College and University Centre is a 400-acre, multi-award-winning educational institution that specialises in the land-based industries. The estate vision aims to upgrade the quality of accommodation to support a wider range of curriculum provision, equip it to support immersive digital technologies, and deliver improved carbon reduction. This design-and-build contract included three new purpose-built buildings.

Novatia had to avoid disrupting the WAN connecting the Merrist Wood campus to Reading College and Bracknell College, as it was used for backup and security purposes.

Novatia led the ICT infrastructure design for Galliford Try across RIBA 3 and 4, achieving a DfE contract agreement. Novatia was then appointed as an ICT subcontractor during construction to fully project-manage the ICT works, supply and install active ICT solutions, install audio-visual solutions, and decommission the College’s legacy ICT equipment.

The scheme presented significant phasing challenges, diverting ICT services to allow for building demolition whilst avoiding disruption to a fully operational Merrist Wood campus and to the WAN connection to the other Activate Learning Colleges. New ICT hubs were established in retained buildings to reroute and retain connectivity for all network systems. These early works were performed under extreme time pressure and were completed in time for critical exam results and for the new college student intake at the start of the term.

Novatia’s audio-visual specialists installed new 86” classroom touchscreens, audio-visual cabling and public area digital displays. The company delivered a fully managed decant, relocating all legacy devices, laptop trolleys and photocopiers. All ICT works were handed over to the college, fully tested and operational, so that the occupants could use the ICT in their new building immediately. All work was completed to quality expectations, handed over to the College defect-free, on time and on budget.

Delivered defect-free, on time and on budget against an immovable academic calendar. Further proof of Novatia's ability to design and deliver complex ICT works on a live, operational campus.