University of Essex, Southend

Project Brief

The development of the 561-room University Square includes cluster kitchens, study rooms together with many green and sustainable features. These include using recycled rainwater to flush toilets, rape seed oil boilers and heat recovery in the kitchen spaces.

Bell and Webster’s Solution

"Hollybrook's selection of the Bell & Webster system was based on extensive research, visiting similar contracts and visiting the factory to see their design and manufacturing processes," explained Andy Suttle, Construction Director for Hollybrook Limited, "The Bell & Webster system is suited to the University scheme because it offers offsite modular benefits combined with speed of erection onsite."

This accommodation project represents a £36 million investment by the University in Southend and will form part of the 'educational quarter' development. The Bell & Webster system is suited to the University scheme because it offers offsite modular benefits combined with speed of erection onsite. The completed project required a total of 2,251 Bell & Webster factory engineered concrete units. With 1,296 wall units and a build height of 10 storey’s, the new building has been constructed to create a strong, robust structure that can be installed and fixed far quicker than most alternative building systems for this scale of building. Close liaison with Bell and Webster at design stage and through the construction process, assisted in producing a fast track build to meet the needs of this University Development. Effective project planning enabled site costs to be kept to a minimum by ensuring that the initial construction phase including the installation of bathroom pods would be completed on time, making way for following trades to install the crucial services needed to run the building itself.

Benefits

• Fair faced finish to walls and ceiling minimised the need for dry lining or suspended ceilings and wet trades
• Conduit cast into slabs not walls
• Good acoustic rating
• Speed of construction
• Following trades can commence on the lower floors as the upper floors are being erected
• Toilet pods installed as frame erected
• Safe Access at all times
• Designed to avoid progressive collapse

University of Essex / Reference: G7350
Southend Campus Elmer Approach
Southend-on-sea, SS1 1LW