FP McCann’s Precast Concrete Modular Building System installed on new Student Accommodation at Leicester University
Project: New Student Accommodation – Freeman’s Common Village, Leicester University
Client: Equans (Partners – Equitix, University of Leicester)
Main Contractor: Equans
Main Contractor: MP Coleman
Precast Supply and Installation: FP McCann
Products supplied: Precast Concrete Crosswall Modular Building System/Insulated Sandwich Panels (Architectural Finish); Precast Stairs and Landings
FP McCann’s structural precast concrete building and architectural façades division has worked in collaboration with regeneration and facilities management company Engie on the £200 million contract to build student accommodation at the Freeman’s Common Student Village, part of Leicester University. The flagship scheme includes seven residential blocks, a 550 space multi-storey car park and the creation of a new 9,000m2 teaching and learning centre.
Architect on the project Sheppard Robson designed the residential development which will be completed in 2022. The regeneration of the site which includes refurbishment of the historic grade 2 listed Freeman’s Cottages creates a new gateway link through to the city centre.
Working closely alongside Sheppard Robson and managing/build partner Engie, FP McCann’s engineers and supply/install teams were able to satisfy the requirement for the design and build of two of the seven residential blocks whilst fully embracing Modern Methods of Construction (MMC). The key elements of MMC on the project include prefabricated insulated sandwich panels with integrated external brick faced and acid-etched finishes, factory fitted windows, first fix services and factory finished internal walls and ceilings.
The off-site manufactured precast concrete crosswall/insulated sandwich panel system was specified on the build to enhance quality, safety and sustainability. Construction times were reduced by up to 60% and significant other benefits associated with MMC such as reduced wastage and all-weather working were achieved.
FP McCann has manufactured and delivered around 6,000 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, were precast stairs and landings.
The internal crosswall sections are 160mm & 200mm thick and the external sandwich facade panels are 535mm thick (including a 100mm architectural fin detail). The inner leaf of the sandwich panel is typically a 150mm thick structural concrete skin designed to carry its own dead loading and that of the external skin. Insulation between the concrete faces is 150mm thick and the outer concrete/brick façade 135mm. The facade skin of the sandwich panels is a combination of half brick and acid-etched smooth concrete finish. The precast units were manufactured at FP McCann’s Grantham manufacturing facility and delivered on a just-in-time basis.
Commenting on the build, (Jake Fellows, Regional Operations Director/Ranjit Lall, Projects Director) for Engie says, “We adopted the FP McCann off-site modular precast concrete building system for our construction programme, as we recognise it is a well tried and tested methodology that brings enhanced quality and delivery confidence to such ambitious residential development schemes. The consortium of companies and designers has delivered innovative, energy efficient and sustainable living to support student and University growth at Leicester.”
For further information on FP McCann’s Precast Off-Site Building Solutions, contact the team at Byley on 01606 843500 or email sales@fpmccann.co.uk
