A multi storey 1200-bed halls of residence is being manufactured by Caledonian Building Systems for Bovis Lend Lease using a steel frame and modular solution. As part of the development Caledonian has designed bespoke five metre wide modules which contain up to five individual study rooms, something quite unique in the industry. This off-site method has been chosen as it will allow the project to be completed in a short time frame and ready for occupation by September 2009.

The use of the wider modules containing a larger number of rooms has numerous benefits on the project, including reducing the frequency of deliveries to site, therefore minimising disruption to local residents, and a saving of two weeks on the delivery schedule reducing the overall cost of the project. Ian Kemp, Business Development Director at Caledonian Building Systems says: “The larger modules mean we can build faster and ensure we can complete more of the work in the factory, especially the mechanical and electrical systems. However, it does bring with it challenges, and due to the size of the load we can only move modules after 7pm in the evening. A project such as this really demonstrates the flexibility of modular construction and showcases the benefits it affords the construction sector.” The new buildings will occupy a site previous used by the University for student accommodation. This has recently been demolished to enable replacement with improved quality accommodation and an increase in the density of accommodation on the site.

The new buildings will include individual en-suite bedrooms arranged in flat clusters, en-suite family rooms and self contained three bedroom flats. Tony Pantling, Bovis Lend Lease project director at the University of Sheffield, comments: “The University requires a diverse accommodation offering to meet the needs of its students, who may also have families and mobility needs. The solution put forward by Bovis Lend Lease and Caledonian ensures that we are able to deliver a consistently high quality product whilst meeting our completion date. In addition, the use of modular construction has minimised disruption to the local community by reducing the amount of deliveries and on site work, and delivering the units after 7pm has reduced the impact on the local road system.” Construction started on site in February 2008 with the first Caledonian units delivered in October 2008 and project completion in September 2009.