News ...................

Specialist contractor Mivan Limited has secured the £10m+ fit-out of the prayer hall at the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies (OCIS) in the UK.

The scope includes the internal fit-out of the Prayer Hall, the gatehouse and the ancillary service areas. External works include the Front Courtyard, pedestrian access to the Prayer Hall and the completion of the Prayer Hall Courtyard and Ramp. The project is underway and Mivan will complete this element in May 2011 working on-site for a period of 32 weeks. Mivan is also in negotiations with the client regarding Phase Two of the project.

The project team includes project managers Cyril Sweett, architects Blampied & Partners and cost consultants Ridge. The project will be funded by the Abu Dhabi based Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation and OXCIS Limited based in Oxford.

Speaking about the contract award, Mivan’s Chief Executive Ivan McCabrey commented “Mivan won the bid primarily for its track record including experience on the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem and the recent delivery of the Arcapita Bank project and associated Mosque fit-out in Bahrain with our Joint Venture Mivan Depa. We are looking forward to delivering a successful project for the client using our in-depth knowledge of the project that dates as far back as 2004.”

The Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies is a Recognised Independent Centre of the University of Oxford. It was established in 1985 with the aim of encouraging the academic study of Islam and the Muslim world. The Centre's Patron is HRH Prince of Wales. The building blends the architecture of traditional Oxford colleges with a classical Islamic style. A Prayer Hall has been constructed in natural load-bearing brickwork including the 7.5 metre diameter dome, and the 35 metre tower.