Our Experience

This project is for the design and construction of over 600 student rooms together with teaching facilities.

The brief

Design and construct 631 rooms for student accommodation plus associated teaching facilities.

What we did

The student rooms are being fully fitted out with kitchenettes, furniture and fixtures with en-suite shower/toilet pods. The teaching areas will be completed as decorated 'shells', with all services and data requirements terminated adjacent to each space, ready for the incorporation into the finished fit-out of the areas. 

The main building form is as a series of connected blocks, with differing external envelope treatments, including facing brickwork and metal cladding systems, with punched windows to the student rooms and areas of glazing forming vertical separations. The structure is a combination of pre-cast concrete frame and lightweight metal frame; the lightweight solution was developed as a response to the proximity of the two London Underground lines, running close to part of the frontage to Mile End Road.

With near complete site coverage, access and buildability issues required early consultations with both Tower Hamlets Borough Council and Transport for London (Mile End Road is a 'red route', together with an agreed carnage strategy to enable delivery, uploading and incorporation into the ongoing works of the pre-cast components and structural steelwork elements, etc.

 Overall, the building has been designed for modern methods of construction, with a significant contribution from off-site manufacture. 

The results

Sustainability issues are addresed by such elements as green roofs, ground-source heat pumps, and a combined heat and power installation. Our early design and procurement involvement with the scheme began in August 2009, the project is due for completion in August 2011.

This project was for the refurbishment of the existing 7 storey building to provide 370 refitted student accommodation rooms.

The brief

The refurbishment and re-fit of 370 student accommodation rooms, 70 new kitchens and 140 new toilet and shower areas all in a cluster format. For this building Opal Property Group wanted a change of image internally but also wished to maintain the continuity of student lettings.

What we did

A trial refit was carried out over the Christmas holidays to ensure the product designed was suitable in terms of appeal, colour, usability and fit.

The works included a ground floor extension to provide an enhanced reception area, disabled toilets, office, security, communal laundry and a new entrance area. The lifts were replaced and the roof re-covered. 

The results

The contract was completed within a tight 13 week programme carried out during the summer holidays.

This project is for the design and construction of 16 distinct apartments, penthouses and townhouses on the River Thames in Windsor.

The brief

This project is for the design and construction of 16 distinct apartments, penthouses and townhouses on the River Thames in Windsor.

What we did

The bold combination of red brick and pre-oxidised green copper pays homage to a number of traditional buildings within the town without compromising on a unique style.

Floor to ceiling box bay windows open onto large balconies and expansive terraces' panoramas of the riverside and Windsor Castle.

Luxurious dark oak flooring, polished porcelain, Italian marble and stunning Schiffini kitchens with Kuppersbusch intergated appliances set with granite and stainless steel surfaces combined in a stylish and contemporary environment to create the best possible living spaces. Natural stone is used for the bathroom floors and vanity tops, walk in wardrobes and multi featured dressing rooms add to the attention to detail.

The results

The development offers a high level of security with video entry and secure underground parking.

All residences incorporate sophisticated entertainment and home control technology such as;

• High quality mutli media systems including iPod based multi-zoned audio
• Thermostatically controlled underfloor heating
• Cabling to all windows for effortless control of blinds

These works involved the construction of a new community hospital, on two floors, comprising eight specialist departments, administration, catering, support services and intermediate care wards to serve the local community.

The brief

The scheme was another PFI project for the Grosvenor House Group, to be constructed in the grounds of an existing hospital where facilities were being upgraded and changed generally to provide clinical services for the 21st Century.

What we did

The  building is of a  traditional construction  with  concrete foundations, steel frame with concrete floors, masonry and clad elevations, with flat roofs and hardwearing and robust internal finishes. Much attention has been paid to both the longevity and the clinical need of the fittings and installations to ensure a low maintenance and workable building was constructed within the time constraints.