The firm beat McLaren, Morgan Sindall and Wates to provide a 55,000 sq ft, five-floor extension to the existing library, and extensive refurbishment of the original building.

Work is due to start on site imminently with construction of the extension and the first phase of the refurbishment due for completion in September 2014, and the main works programmed for completion at the end of 2015.

The new five-floor building extension will provide extra book storage, additional study spaces and a new lecture theatre and seminar rooms.

The rest of the library will be reglazed and modernised in an extensive refurbishment programme, which will get underway in 2014.

Landscaping and the provision of a new logistics/fire road will be required as part of the extension.

It is expected that the new building will achieve a BREEAM Excellent rating.

Kier Construction operations director, Peter Searle, said: “As a local contractor in Kent, Kier is delighted to be working on this important project for the University of Kent in Canterbury.”