The conversion of a large retail space, to provide a two-story, student accommodation block made up of three pods of cluster flats, and 31, one-bedroom studios. Located within walking distance of the University of the West of England (UWE), Bristol, the property provides an additional 52, high-quality bedrooms to meet the growing accommodation needs of the University.
The existing space had been vacant for a while and was set within a mixed residential area adjacent to the main district centre. The design solution presented by the client proposed an internal restructure of the ground floor to create two floors of accommodation with communal spaces, which included a mezzanine deck floor to divide up the space. The plans also included six car parking spaces and 50 cycle spaces.
Student Accommodation
Location:
Bristol
Delivered in:
32 weeks
After extensive consultations with various stakeholders, the clients design team set out drawings and specifications to enable a phased refurbishment of the space that would see the former retail units converted within 32 weeks. Acting as Principal Contractor, Harris Evolution worked closely with the client and their design team to ensure that the project was delivered to specification, on time, ready for the new academic year.
Works included the demolition and removal of the existing external curtain walling and block walls; the construction of a new intermediate floor comprising of a steel structure, concrete, and acoustic floor deck; a new external envelope with a cavity block wall, external render system and the installation of full M&E and sprinkler system.
This project also included a full internal fit out with stairs, partitions, services including a basement plant room, cycle store and external refuse store, as well as the installation of furniture and fixtures as per the FF&E design drawings.
