IN DETAIL
University Square, Southend is a modern residential development designed specifically for students attending University of Essex.
Comprised of four distinct blocks, with the tallest reaching a height of 10 stories; this campus is a significant part of the local landscape and community.
We were commission by United Living and the University of Essex to design, supply and install an innovative facade solution for all four blocks, to meet the highest fire-protection standards whilst enhancing their aesthetic appeal with a sleek, modern revitalisation.
The original insulation and cladding used on the building was non-compliant with limited combustibility standards, necessitating the removal and replacement of the existing cladding.
The buildings have undergone a striking transformation, previously given the nickname “The Lego Buildings” because of their bold, primary coloured cladding; they now are an impressive showcase of sleek, modern architecture and design.
Scope
The scope of our work included the full removal and remediation of all external cladding and insulation with A-rated non-combustible materials.
We worked with Valcan,as specified by Architects Purcell, to produce and install VitraDual® Aluminium panels to replace the high-pressure laminate cladding system of the 500 student room buildings.
The previous primary coloured panels have been entirely replaced with VitraDual® in sleek metallic tones such as Silver ice, Champagne and Bronze.
VitraDual® panels are A1 fire-rated and due to them being made from 100% aluminium they are non-combustible. This makes them ideal for use in high rise buildings where safety is crucial. The panels were expertly installed by our teams using a Rivet system with fixings from Certifix Ltd.
One of the challenges we faced was that the building was occupied during the project, so ensuring minimal disruption to residents was a top priority for us. Our team organised and carried out efficient material movement strategies and brought in a flexible working system to minimise the impact on those living and working in the building throughout the project.
We also faced unexpected design changes and structural complication which we resolved quickly and successfully due to the incredible collaborative work between our team, United Living and our fantastic contractors and suppliers.
For an in depth look at the VitraDual® panels and systems used on this project, please take a look at Valcan’s case study below:
