Ahmed Construction Company (ACCO) · Lahore · Since 1998
School and College Construction Company in Lahore
ACCO plans, designs and builds school buildings, college blocks and campus expansions in Lahore, with architecture, structural engineering and MEP coordination handled by one team from first sketch to handover.
Discuss Your School ProjectWhatsApp +92-322-8000190
Quick answer
ACCO is a Lahore-based design-and-build company that constructs private school buildings, college blocks and educational campus extensions. Under one contract we can prepare the architectural layout, structural design, MEP and fire-safety coordination, BOQ and construction, so the building is planned around classrooms, labs, safe circulation and future expansion rather than adapted from a commercial plan.
Educational construction in Lahore, handled as one project
A school or college building is used by hundreds of people at the same hours every day. Corridors, stairs, toilets and gates take peak loads at assembly and dismissal; laboratories need water, drainage, gas and extraction; and most campuses add blocks over time. Buildings designed as generic commercial space often struggle with all three.
ACCO approaches educational work the way we approach our institutional projects and healthcare buildings: requirements first, then a coordinated design, then a priced BOQ and construction. School owners, college management, educational trusts and developers get a single point of responsibility instead of separate architects, engineers and contractors working from different drawings.
What types of educational buildings does ACCO build?
The scope depends on your institution, plot and budget. Typical project types include:
Private school buildings
New purpose-built schools for primary, middle and secondary sections, including play areas, admin offices and boundary works.
College buildings
Academic blocks for intermediate and degree colleges with lecture rooms, staff rooms, labs and student facilities.
Educational campuses
Phased campus master plans that place academic, admin, sports and parking zones for growth over several years.
Academic and admin blocks
Stand-alone blocks added to an existing school, college or university campus, matched to existing levels and services.
Libraries, labs and halls
Science and computer laboratories, libraries, auditoriums and multipurpose halls with the services each space needs.
Renovation and expansion
Vertical extensions, structural assessment of older buildings, re-planning and refurbishment of operating schools.
For interior-only work such as classroom furniture, ceilings and lab fit-outs, see our school and institutional interiors service.
How should a school or college building be planned?
Good educational design starts with numbers: student strength per section, classes per grade, shift timings and expected growth. From there, ACCO's architects develop a layout that considers:
- Classroom layout and circulation: room sizes for the class strength, corridor widths for peak movement, and stairs placed for quick, even dispersal.
- Administrative areas: reception, principal and accounts offices positioned to control access to the academic zone.
- Libraries and laboratories: located for services access, daylight and supervision.
- Assembly and multipurpose spaces: halls sized for events, exams and assemblies.
- Accessibility: step-free entry, ramps, accessible toilets and lift provision where floors require it.
- Natural light and ventilation: orientation, window ratios and cross-ventilation suited to Lahore's hot summers.
- Outdoor learning and play: shaded play areas and age-appropriate outdoor space where the plot allows.
- Future expansion: foundations, columns and service shafts sized so floors or blocks can be added later.
Engineering and construction services for educational buildings
ACCO's in-house team covers design and engineering disciplines and coordinates them with construction. Where a specialist subcontractor or supplier is used, for example for lifts, fire-suppression equipment or HVAC units, ACCO coordinates the design interface and installation.
| Service | What it covers for a school or college | Related service |
|---|---|---|
| Architectural design | Space programme, plans, elevations, sanction drawings and working drawings | Educational architecture |
| Structural engineering | RCC or steel frame design, foundations, seismic detailing, provision for future floors | Institutional structures |
| Civil construction | Grey structure, masonry, finishes, external works and boundary walls | Construction services |
| Electrical and plumbing | Power, lighting, data, water supply, drainage and lab services | Institutional MEP |
| HVAC and ventilation | Fresh-air design, lab extraction, cooling for halls and computer labs | Institutional HVAC |
| Fire and life safety | Exit planning, fire detection and alarm, firefighting systems coordination | Institutional firefighting |
| Interior fit-out | Ceilings, flooring, partitions, built-in storage and furniture layouts | School interiors |
What is ACCO's school construction process?
Consultation
We review your plot, student numbers, programme and budget, and visit the site.
Requirements and planning
A space programme and concept layout, including phasing if the campus will grow.
Design coordination
Architecture, structure and MEP drawings developed together, plus approval drawings.
Estimate and BOQ
An itemised bill of quantities so you can compare specifications and cost.
Construction
Site execution with a planned schedule, often arranged around the academic calendar.
Quality checks
Material testing, inspections at key stages, and services testing before finishes.
Handover
Snag closure, as-built information and handover of systems to your facilities staff.
After handover
Support under the warranty and defect terms written into your contract.
Schedules are set per project after the design and BOQ are agreed, because duration depends on size, approvals, site conditions and whether the campus stays operational during work.
How much does it cost to build a school or college in Lahore?
There is no reliable single rate for educational buildings, because two schools of the same covered area can differ widely in structure, services and finishes. ACCO prices each project from drawings and an itemised BOQ. The main cost drivers are:
| Cost factor | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Plot area and covered area | Sets the overall quantity of construction and external works. |
| Number of floors | Affects structure, stairs, lifts and fire-safety provisions. |
| Soil and foundation conditions | A soil investigation may change foundation type and depth. |
| Structural system | RCC frame, steel or a combination; spans for halls increase cost. |
| Classroom and specialist rooms | Labs, libraries and auditoriums need more services than classrooms. |
| Laboratory services | Gas, water, drainage, extraction and chemical-resistant finishes. |
| Electrical and HVAC systems | Load, backup power, solar, cooling and ventilation choices. |
| Fire-safety provisions | Detection, alarm, hydrants or sprinklers and protected exits. |
| Finishes and furniture | Flooring, ceilings, facade materials and loose furniture. |
| External works | Boundary walls, parking, play areas, landscaping and drainage. |
| Professional fees and approvals | Design fees, authority fees and certification costs. |
For a project estimate, share your plot size, location, number of students and floors you are considering. ACCO will advise on the information needed for a BOQ-based quotation.
What safety and approval requirements apply to school buildings in Punjab?
Educational buildings carry higher occupancy than most private buildings, so safety needs to be designed in from the start. Key considerations include:
- Safe circulation and emergency exits: adequate stair and corridor widths, at least two escape routes where required, and clear assembly points.
- Fire and life safety: planning to the Pakistan Engineering Council's Building Code of Pakistan (Fire Safety Provisions 2016) and the requirements of the local authority.
- Structural safety: seismic design and, for existing buildings, structural assessment before reuse or extension.
- Accessibility: ramps, accessible toilets and step-free routes for students, staff and visitors with disabilities.
- Age-appropriate facilities: railing heights, toilet fixtures, window guards and play-area surfaces suited to the age group.
- Building approvals: plans are normally sanctioned by the relevant development authority, such as LDA, DHA Lahore or a housing society, depending on where the plot sits.
2026 update: In July 2026, the Punjab School Education Department notified that private schools and tuition centres need a building fitness certificate from a PEC-registered engineer or firm before registration is processed (ARY News). Requirements can change, so confirm the current rules with your District Education Authority and approving body. ACCO can coordinate design and documentation for these processes but cannot guarantee any approval.
ACCO's institutional and educational experience
ACCO has worked on institutional and public-sector buildings since 1998. Our client list includes BUITMS (Balochistan University of Information Technology, Engineering and Management Sciences), listed on our clients page.
Our institutional healthcare work includes hospital projects such as LDMC, MCH Islamkot, and work at King Edward Medical University / Mayo Hospital and UOL Hospital in Lahore. These projects demand the same disciplines that matter in education: high-occupancy circulation, coordinated MEP, fire safety and construction inside operating campuses.
Detailed educational case studies with verified scope and site photographs will be added to this page as they are documented. Ask us for project references relevant to your building type.
Why consider ACCO for your school or college building?
One accountable team
Architecture, structural and MEP design coordinated with construction, reducing gaps between drawings and site.
Institutional background
Experience with hospitals and institutional buildings where safety, services and occupancy are demanding.
Transparent pricing
Itemised BOQs so management boards and trustees can review specifications line by line.
Planning for growth
Structures and services sized for future floors and blocks, so expansion does not mean rebuilding.
Registered constructor
PEC-registered (7659 C3), operating from Gulberg-III, Lahore since 1998.
Written terms
Scope, specifications, warranty and defect obligations set out in the construction contract.
Frequently asked questions
Does ACCO design and construct school buildings in Lahore?
Yes. ACCO provides architectural design, structural and MEP engineering and construction for school and college buildings in Lahore, either as a complete design-and-build package or as separate services.
Can ACCO add a new block or floor to our existing school?
Often, yes. We first check the existing structure, foundations and approvals. If the building was not designed for extra load, we advise on strengthening or a separate block instead.
How is the construction cost of a school estimated?
From drawings and an itemised bill of quantities. Covered area, floors, foundations, labs, MEP systems, fire safety, finishes and external works all change the figure, so ACCO does not quote a fixed per-square-foot rate for educational buildings without project details.
Can construction be scheduled around the academic year?
Yes. For operating campuses, we plan noisy and disruptive work around holidays and weekends where possible and separate construction areas from students.
Does ACCO help with building approvals?
ACCO prepares sanction drawings and coordinates technical documentation for the relevant authority, such as LDA, DHA or a housing society. Approval decisions rest with the authority.
What do we need for a first meeting?
Plot location and size, ownership documents, your expected student numbers, the classes or programmes you plan to offer, and an indicative budget. Existing drawings help for renovation projects.
Does ACCO build college and university buildings outside Lahore?
ACCO is based in Lahore and also provides design and engineering services for institutional projects elsewhere in Pakistan. Construction outside Lahore is assessed project by project.
Institutional services
Planning a new school, college block or campus expansion?
Tell us about your plot, student numbers and timeline. ACCO's team will review your requirements and suggest the next step, from a concept layout to a BOQ-based estimate.
- Office 2, 3rd Floor, Bigcity Plaza, Gulberg-III, Lahore
- Phone / WhatsApp: 0322-8000190
- Email: info@acco.com.pk