Downe House is a selective independent girls' day and boarding school near Newbury. This new building provides 1,200sqm accommodation over three floors. This includes teaching spaces, a new library, auditorium, café / collaborative learning area, shop, resources hub and offices.

The brief for the project was to create a new building that would sit at the heart of the campus, to serve as a hub for some of the key spaces of learning and day-to-day activities, as well provide a draw into the campus from the main entrance.

Ridge was appointed to prepare an initial cost plan. Following this, Ridge cost managers continued with the project, working with both the design team and the client to rationalise the scheme and identify cost reduction opportunities.

Ridge was responsible for the total project cost and, in support of this, has maintained risk registers, and cashflow forecasts for both the construction and wider project issues.

The project is required to meet BREEAM Excellent and to facilitate this Ridge undertook several Whole Life cost studies.