Isambard Complex, Brunel University

Location
Zone 6, Uxbridge, Middlesex
Client
Vinci
Value
£54m approx
Completion
2008
Size
1,396 Bedrooms

Seventeen five storey blocks in a high quality, hard and soft landscaped campus.

Stride Treglown was approached by Vinci to assist them in the development of this 1,396 bed scheme as part of a Design and Build Contract. The exteriors of the buildings are designed as a mixture of brickwork and render planes on a “metsec” metal framing system and the whole site is extensively landscaped.

The seventeen five storey blocks in brick, render and metal cladding are arranged in a landscaped campus with their own social hub building. The apparently haphazard arrangement of the buildings on this site has in fact been carefully arranged to prevent overlooking between the rooms and reduce the apparent density of this student housing scheme and its impact on the surrounding neighbourhood.

A high quality, hard and soft landscape scheme further enhances the spaces between the blocks. Working directly with Hillingdon Borough Council planning conditions were quickly discharged.

As the design build contractor’s architects we participated in the development of the prefabricated construction solution which ensured that the whole project was delivered in 89 weeks, three and a half months ahead of programme.

The hybrid construction method employed on this project consisted of “twin wall” precast concrete panels and precast floor units (which are exposed within the bedrooms) and panellised lightweight steel end walls. Careful co-ordination was required to ensure tolerances were met and services correctly located.