BACKGROUND

The new build Social Zone project comprised of the construction of a two storey Social Zone building including terrace at the Byrom St Campus, LJMU. When completed in September 2015, the new area provided an additional space for the students to meet, interact and provide hot food provision to support the current services on Campus.

Construction works involved piled foundations, ground works which incorporated concrete retaining walls and a steel frame structure. Concrete slabs to both floors housed a catering facility and break out area. Curtain walling and cedar cladding were part of the external envelope system and green credentials incorporating PV panels to support the small power requirements. A water harvesting systems was installed to recycle the rainwater and natural ventilation were included within the scheme. Although the building was not stipulated as being BREEAM accredited, Hightown commissioned a BREEAM consultant at our own cost to evaluate the scheme to meet a rating of Very Good.

External hard and soft landscaping incorporating pavers and planting were also undertaken.

With over 7000 students, staff and visitors within the site Campus and boundaries at any one time, we ensured that our H&S procedures and systems were robust and developed suitably to meet the needs of the client’s business needs. All adjacent buildings were of a university nature including offices and further construction projects outside the remit of this scheme which required coordination, communication and understanding.

Key Project Achievements

Due to project being undertaken within a live environment we had to ensure our H&S procedures and systems were robust and developed suitably to meet the needs of the client.

Works had to be closely monitored with the clients timetable to ensure that noise levels were kept to a minimum during exam periods. Deliveries also had to be made in a ‘just in time’ basis due to the limitations of on-site storage.