FP McCann’s Precast Concrete Modular Building System Installed on Student Campus at the University of Arts, London
Project: New Student Accommodation – University Of Arts London, Peckham Sudent Campus
Client: Hollybrook Homes
Architect: Stephen Marshall Architects
Structural Engineers: Walsh Associates
Main Framework Contractor: FP McCann / RLH Construction
Products Supplied: Precast Concrete Crosswall Modular Building System; Insulated Sandwich Panels (Architectural Finish); Precast Concrete Stair Flights and Landings; Precast Concrete Columns and Beams.
FP McCann’s structural precast concrete building and architectural façades division has recently completed the supply and installation of its modular precast building system at the University of Arts in Peckham, South London.
The Eagle Wharf site, formerly home to Whitten Timber Ltd was purchased for development by Hollybrook Homes in 2019. The site consists of 293 student bedrooms and 8,000sq ft of post graduate workspace contained in two buildings, six storey and four storey in height. The flagship project sympathetically links the new academic space to the existing 1960’s buildings fronting the campus.
Architect on the project Stephen Marshall Architects, has designed the buildings, the rear part of which faces the Surrey Canal Park. Rooms on each floor project out and are offset to mimic the stacks of timber that were historically stored on the former canal wharf. The strong, simple forms of the precast concrete modular blocks, characterised by striking architectural finishes, have been designed to be a modern interpretation of the former timber yard.
Working closely alongside client, Hollybrook, Stephen Marshall architects and structural and civil engineering consultant Walsh Associates, FP McCann were able to satisfy the requirement for the design and build project to fully embrace Modern Methods of Construction (MMC). The key elements of MMC in the build include prefabricated insulated sandwich panels with integrated external brick faced finishes, factory fitted windows, first fix services and factory finished internal precast structural framework.
FP McCann nominated contractor, Staffordshire based precast concrete installation specialist RLH, completed the two buildings in just 24 weeks of a 29 week contract programme. The off-site manufactured precast concrete crosswall/insulated sandwich panel system was specified on the build to enhance quality, safety and sustainability. Construction time versus a traditional build were reduced by 60% and significant other benefits associated with MMC such as reduced wastage and all-weather working were achieved.
In total FP McCann has manufactured and installed a total of 1845 individual precast concrete units for the internal structural frames and the cladding envelopes, including walls, floor slabs and external architectural sandwich panels. Additionally, and included in the supply contract, are precast stair flights and landings, precast concrete columns and beams.
The internal crosswall sections are 160mm, 200mm & 175mm thick and the external sandwich facade panels are 540mm thick. The inner leaf of the sandwich panel is typically a 180mm thick structural concrete skin designed to carry its own dead loading and that of the external skin. Insulation between the concrete faces is 200mm thick and the outer concrete/brick façade 115mm. The facade skin of the sandwich panels is a combination of half brick in buff and grey colour, with a dark brown brick replicating the appearance of stacked timber. The precast concrete units were manufactured at FP McCann’s Grantham manufacturing facilities and delivered on a just-in-time basis for installation in a single lift operation.
Commenting on the build, Project Manager for Hollybrook Homes, Stuart Bennett says, “This method of structural and architectural precast concrete/brick-faced sandwich panel construction demonstrates a number of efficiencies compared with practices associated with a traditional build. The off-site manufacturing of the building components offers significant advantages in terms of product quality and integrity. On site, speed of construction, minimising waste and the ability to work uninterrupted in all weather conditions are all major benefits. Additionally, the external façade system removes the need for scaffolding and trades on site such as bricklayers and window fitters, thereby minimising the health and safety risk factors associated with people working at height.”
For further information on FP McCann’s precast off-site building , contact the team at Byley 01606 843500 or email sales@fpmccann.co.uk
