This mainly new build graduate accommodation development of 33 rooms is on a busy main road in the heart of Cambridge, and presented challenging delivery arrangements due to minimal on-site storage space and restricted access.

The plantroom which is located in the basement of the rear ‘Garden Building’ contains the centralised boiler plant, cold water booster set and storage tank, hot water service calorifiers and BMS control panel as well as the main incoming electrical supply and mains distribution panel.

The accommodation at the front of the site is served by a network of underground pre-insulated pipework and mains distribution cables, emanating from the plantroom.

These had to be installed at an early stage in the programme to enable the crane and scaffolding to be erected.

Security has been designed into the development with staged access through the entrance gate, house lobby and then finally to each room, via access card.

There are P.V. panels on the roof of the Garden Building, which have been installed as soon as practical to enable the crane and scaffolding to be dismantled, in turn enabling the courtyard to be utilised as the only available storage on site.

CCTV with 180° cameras covering the whole site is streamed back to several Porter’s Lodges within the central campus.

The 33 graduate rooms are illuminated by over 400 LED downlighters, with their control mainly via presence detection.

The BMS controls some Velux windows in communal areas, opening these on the dictates of CO² & temperature readings.

Each student room has an en-suite, and is serviced with underfloor heating, Freeview TV and data outlets.

I.T. services are provided by a combination of Wi-Fi and hard wired outlets, which are connected to the main college campus system via fibre optic cable.

Role:

Mechanical and Electrical Contractor

Main Contractor:

Barnes Construction

M & E Consultant:

Michael Popper

Architect:

Cottrell & Vermeulen

Value:

£850,000

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