Our client secured a contract to deliver the design, development and operation contract for the University of Exeter’s new campus development scheme. The project involved building more than 1700 low-carbon student bedrooms. We collaborated with our client and their partners to develop their strategies and to provide bid management and writing services.
The opportunity
EiB helped its client secure the contract for the University of Exeter’s Clydesdale and Birks Residential Project. It involved building more than 1700 low-carbon student bedrooms and refurbishing over 300 bedrooms at Birks Grange Village. The project set a benchmark for sustainable student accommodation. The scheme’s new buildings were built following innovative Passivhaus design standards to optimise energy efficiency. Our client is a design, build, fund and operate company with expertise in designing and developing student accommodation.
EiB approach and involvement
EiB collaborated with the client’s delivery team and partners to develop their delivery solution. We provided strategy development, bid, management and copywriting services over five months for the quality submission.
Success and outcomes
To win this contract, our client needed to show the university that they would prioritise the student experience, sustainability and carbon reduction, which supported the university’s goal to become net zero by 2030 and to protect biodiversity. By working constructively with our client’s delivery team, we helped them demonstrate how they would accommodate these key features in the submission. Showing that our client would provide a value-for-money service was vital in helping them win. Construction will commence following the financial year’s close. The first development phase will be completed to welcome students in the 2025/2026 academic year.
