| Project: | Slade Park |
| Location: | Oxford, UK |
| UMS contract value: | £6.1m |
| Architect: | Stephen George |
| Contractor: | Berkeley Homes |
|
| Modular statistics | |
| Total modules: | 483 |
| Total en-suite bedrooms: | 374 |
| Kitchens: | 68 |
| Installed in: | 35 days |
|
|
Located in the heart of Oxford’s bustling student community and on a former Territorial Army Centre, Slade Park is an impressive example of why more and more Universities are turning to volumetric modular construction over more traditional building methods. Slade Park is a perfect example of a volumetric modular building that had no requirement for secondary support, as the structural integrity of the building derives entirely from the modules themselves.
The development, overseen and project managed by the client/contractor Berkeley Homes (Oxford & Chiltern) Ltd, is all set to open to students in September this year and contains 483 fully fitted lightweight steel frame modules. There are 350 bedrooms, all fully furnished with an en-suite shower, bed, furniture, carpet and even curtains. All services are incorporated as well, such as plumbing and electrics, ready for simple connection on site before students move in. There are also 24 complete studios including DDA provision, which have been created using 28 modules. There are 68 kitchens, as well as 16 staircases pre-fitted with flights, stringers and temporary hand railing which provided for immediate access in and around the inside of the building during construction. Further to all of this, there is an electrical plant room, which was supplied as an empty module with removable floor panels ready for fit out on site.
Andrew Saunders-Davies, Chairman of Berkeley Homes (Oxford & Chiltern) Ltd, comments: "We specifically chose to utilise the wide array of benefits of volumetric modular construction for this development due to the speed and delivery time that was promised, and ultimately delivered on. UMS ensured we received delivery of a high quality finished product to suit the University academic start of year. For Berkeley Homes, the benefits of volumetric modular construction are the sustainability it offers, speed and ease of construction and installation, as well as the assured quality as it has been assembled in a controlled factory environment."
Engagement with Berkeley Homes (Oxford & Chiltern) Ltd and its architect, SGP, and structural engineer, Glanvilles, early in the process was critical for the purpose of optimising the modular benefit. For example, co-ordination between UMS’ structural engineers, 1-Creative, and Glanvilles, allowed for timely resolution of design issues relating to the location of the plant room and positioning of the modules above the undercroft so as to retain service access to the courtyard area of the building.
Coming in at a significantly shorter timescale than traditional build, this project showcases one of the most striking benefits of off-site construction for the education sector; the ability to meet the restrictive time demands of taking a building from concept to completion by the start of each academic year. This approach bestows the necessary confidence with end clients and contractors that construction activity will be completed on schedule so that all of the other elements of planning and preparation that need to be undertaken to open a new building for occupation by a student community can take place.
|
|
|
UNITE Modular Solutions Ltd.