Newcastle University has decided to use modular buildings to build new apartment buildings because the original flats are too old to accommodate the growing demand for student accommodation.

Comprising six cruciform buildings with heights of 6, 8, 9, 8, 6 and 4 storeys respectively, the modular student village – featuring 1,243 rooms – stands as the largest student accommodation project in the UK.

The scheme which incorporates modular construction. Almost 800 modules were used, alongside a central steel core which contained the lifts, stairs and main mechanical and electrical distributions.

“Traditional construction would have taken no less than three years to complete, an unacceptable timescale for our client. In contrast, CIMC Modular Buildings finished on-site assembly in just six months. The entire construction phase lasted only 110 weeks, or 550 working days, equivalent to 770 calendar days including weekends and public holidays, drastically shortening the construction timeline,” stated the project manager from the main contractor.

“Furthermore, following structural assembly, finishing works were required across 72 levels and 44 separate floors. Peak on-site staffing stood at approximately 270 workers for modular construction, compared with nearly 500 workers required for conventional building methods. As a result, overall project costs are significantly lower with CIMC modular construction.”

“Modules are manufactured in China over a seven-week period, followed by seven weeks of maritime transit. We utilised part of the Port of Tyne as a holding area, though modules are normally delivered directly to site, where they are simply lifted from trailers and positioned precisely into place. Every module has a unique reference number, ensuring sequential delivery and production aligned exactly with our construction schedule. Considering each module is lifted and relocated four times throughout loading, shipping and installation, the exceptional quality and reliability of CIMC modular engineering is clearly evident.”

Professor Chris Day, Vice-Chancellor and President, said: “Access to high quality accommodation is an important part of student life and a significant factor in defining students' university experience. As a University, we have a long-standing commitment to delivering an outstanding experience for our students, not only through the excellence of our teaching and learning provision, but also by providing facilities of the highest possible standard, and that includes safe, affordable, comfortable living accommodation. I'm pleased to say that our students already consistently rate the standard of their accommodation very highly, and I feel sure that with the addition of Park View Student Village to our portfolio, our standing can only improve."

[Awards]

·Park View Student Village picked up two awards at The Institution of Structural Engineer's Structural Awards 2018.

·The scheme won the Most Innovative Project in the Large Project category and received a special commendation for the Large Project Award.