The students were hosted by local contractor, Spetisbury Construction, at its active site within the Dolphin Centre. The project involves the safe removal and replacement of a decaying 1960s roof, while the library below remains operational. This site visit offered the AUB cohort a close-up view of a design-and-build contract in practice, including how unexpected challenges such as asbestos flues and legacy concrete structures are managed. The overall project is scheduled for completion in summer 2027.
For the students, applying complex theoretical concepts to a live site provided a fresh perspective on their design studies. Sam Davies, a BA (Hons) Architecture student at AUB, found the sliding roof cover particularly interesting. "The most interesting thing I learned today was how they designed the sliding roof cover," Davies commented. "It’s on rails and locks into place, almost like a rollercoaster."
The project specifically addresses the remediation of Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC), a material widely used in public sector architecture from the 1950s onwards for its lightweight and quick-installation properties. However, RAAC, which is approximately 70% air, has now reached the end of its lifespan. Spetisbury Construction is replacing all RAAC panels with a modern steel frame, metal deck, and high-performance insulated roofing system. A custom temporary roof, running on rails and moving along the building as sections are completed, was designed to protect the functioning library beneath. The scaffolding framework was modelled using a 3D scan before assembly.
Fellow student Grace Benson-Quarm added, “It was fascinating to see the thinking and design behind reconstructing an entire roof, the structure you have to put around it, choosing materials that will last a long time, and doing it all without damaging the existing building or the library beneath.”
This visit is part of an ongoing partnership between AUB and Spetisbury Construction, which has previously included student site visits to high-profile regional projects like the restoration of Bobby’s department store in Bournemouth town centre and accessibility works for the National Trust at Kingston Lacy.
Melanie Kaviani, Senior Lecturer in Architecture at AUB and Director of Kaviani Architects, emphasised the value of industry links. "Today’s site visit was once again an exceptionally valuable experience," Kaviani stated. "On behalf of our students and the AUB Architecture team, I would like to extend our sincere thanks to Spetisbury Construction for providing such an engaging, educational and rewarding opportunity. The visit offered our students an excellent opportunity to gain valuable insight not only into design and construction detailing, but also into the wider challenges of the construction process. It provided a deeper understanding of the importance of collaboration, health and safety, and cost considerations in delivering successful construction projects."
For Spetisbury Construction, the initiative supports objectives to provide future designers with practical insights into buildability and structural coordination, and to encourage talent entry into the sector amidst a nationwide construction skills shortage. Ashley Harris, Contracts Director at Spetisbury Construction, commented, “It was a pleasure to host the students today and to answer their questions. Many of them will go on to become lead designers, pulling together the work of every other consultant on a job. Even a roof replacement involves far more design than you might think, and on every project there are people beyond the client and contractor to consider. We’re delighted to show the next generation how it all comes together.”
Kaviani also extended thanks to Justin, Ashley, Lewis, and Aidan from Spetisbury Construction for their professionalism and commitment to student learning. "I place great value on this ongoing relationship with Spetisbury Construction," she added. "Meaningful engagement between AUB architectural education and industry is essential in preparing our students for professional practice, and I am sincerely grateful for the Spetisbury Construction’s continued support and contribution to their education."
