Oaklands College Evolution Centre nears completion

As you may have seen whilst walking past the hoardings at St Albans, work is now well underway on Phase Two of the £62 million campus redevelopment, introducing the brand-new Evolution Centre. 

Willmott Dixon, the construction specialists who have already delivered Phase 1, the Residential Homestead, have been busy throughout Easter to deliver the newest facility on campus.

With the external structure now in place, the building has undergone large-scale internal works which have seen doors and radiators installed, with preparation underway for laying the flooring and installing all electrical components and wiring within the building.

In addition, Willmott Dixon is currently completing the drylining of the building, where plasterboard is attached to the internal walls, creating a smooth surface so paint can be applied after the final plastering of the building.

The outside of the new facility is also rapidly taking shape, with kerbs being installed alongside the new road, which is awaiting tarmac. As well as steelwork on the roof for the “plant enclosure”, a dedicated space containing the equipment required to provide building services such as electrical distribution, water and ventilation throughout.

Students and visitors on campus may have seen large-scale work around the college grounds, which is in its final stages which after four weeks, will create infrastructure and drainage for the new campus.

Over the coming months, Willmott Dixon will finish the internal works of the Evolution Centre, with installation of the science laboratory, external cladding and final improvements.

The Evolution Centre will provide our St Albans Campus with an impressive new learning facility with 49 new classrooms, new offices for curriculum staff and a specialist facility for our special needs provision.

Below are some of the latest images of how the building looks and what students can expect once Phase 2 is completed.