Member Article

Morgan Sindall reach project milestone at Chester University

Infrastructure firm Morgan Sindall has completed the first stage of a £10m accommodation project at the University of Chester.

The first of three modular student housing blocks has been finished, made up of interconnecting modular blocks designed and built by Morgan Sindall.

On full completion, the project will feature 202 student beds, a lecture area and changing room facilities for the university’s recently built sport pitches.

Located on the university’s main Chester campus, the new building is due for completion and open for use in September, ready for the new academic year.

Professor Tim Wheeler, Vice Chancellor from the University of Chester, said: “This multi-million pound project underscores the University’s commitment to enhancing the student experience – for which it has just won a national Times Higher Education award, voted for by its students.

“Ready for the next academic year, the building will represent a flagship property in our existing student accommodation portfolio and reinforce our quality offering to prospective students.”

Building work is being carried out using a modular method, which involves pre-made room “pods” being installed to create three separate buildings with interconnecting floors and two locks built on structural steel podiums.

The pods have been manufactured by Elements Europe and will include en-suite bathrooms and a kitchenette.

Morgan Sindall area director, Barry Roberts, commented: “We’re delighted to have reached this landmark in the construction of this innovative, high-quality student accommodation development for the University of Chester.

“Modular construction is an increasingly popular method of construction, and works particularly well on education projects such as this, reducing construction time and lessening disruption on busy university campuses.

“The Morgan Sindall team is well versed in delivering student accommodation developments and we’re looking forward to continuing to bring that experience to bear on this project.”

The construction firm also recently completed a £15m development at the Royal Veterinary College in Potters Bar, and is currently on site for a £26m student accommodation scheme at the former Hammersmith Palais in London.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Miranda Dobson .