The detail

Described as “an exemplar of sustainability”, the purpose-built complex includes a range of sustainable features including solar shading screens to prevent overheating in summer and perforated window surrounds to advocate natural ventilation.

Completed in phases, with sectional commissioning and handover, the four blocks contain 325 en-suite rooms with social study spaces, fully equipped kitchens, laundry facilities and secure indoor cycle storage wrapped around a series of south facing courtyards and gardens.

Linked to the site-wide sustainable urban drainage system, and to the district heating system, our widely-acclaimed work promotes sustainable community living. Embracing digital technology, we employed Building Information Modelling (BIM) throughout the project, which was particularly beneficial for underground coordination.

Reflecting the sustainable ethos of the development, we committed to reducing waste and produced volumes less than half of those of other contractors.

This was due largely to our alternative design and the use of precast instead of traditional block and plaster. Best practice also translated into excellent safety statistics and no RIDDORS throughout 627,811 ‘man-hours’.