Cambridge University awards contract to Bouygues UK for the construction of its new exam board headquarters

Cambridge Assessment, which is responsible for the operation and management of Cambridge University’s examination boards, has awarded Bouygues UK, the British subsidiary of Bouygues Construction, a contract worth £120 million to design and build its new international headquarters, known as The Triangle.

Simon Lebus, Group Chief Executive of Cambridge Assessment, said:  “After a long and thorough tendering process we are delighted to have appointed Bouygues UK and are very much looking forward to working with them. Bouygues UK is an award-winning company that is committed to exceptional construction and sustainable practices and has experience in both the public and private sector. I am confident that they are the right partners to help build our new global headquarters.”

Madani Sow, Chairman and Chief Executive of Bouygues UK, added: “We’re looking forward to working with Cambridge Assessment to build their new headquarters, supporting their expansion as they welcome an increasing number of students from all over the world. Cambridge also represents a new geographic area for us, where we see great potential for our business.”

Cambridge Assessment is a not-for-profit organisation that designs and delivers assessments to over eight million learners in over 170 countries.

The organisation’s new headquarters will be based on a brownfield site previously occupied by Cambridge University Press. The 2.5 hectare plot previously housed two warehouses and an office building, which have been demolished to make way for the construction of two new five-storey office blocks and a 39-metre tower. The buildings will be connected by a main courtyard.

Designed by Eric Parry Architects, the project was developed using the latest Building Information Modelling (BIM) technology and is expected to take around two years to deliver. With a strong focus on sustainability, it is expected to achieve an Energy Performance Rating of A and is targeting the same Display Energy Certificate (DEC) grade for office developments. Work has started on site, and handover is timetabled for September 2017.