Hill Partnerships

Hill Partnerships Ltd completed a student accommodation facility in Cambridge for Aldwyck Housing Association. The project, as well as providing accommodation for 150 students, also includes the construction of a 100 place children’s day care facility plus community facilities on the ground floor for the local community. The key driver for the scheme has been the ability to complete the accommodation in advance of APU’s new academic year; therefore a number of construction methodologies were appraised. Having assessed the site restrictions, particularly the narrow access to the site, it was decided to utilise a lightweight steel frame for the student accommodation section which using a hot rolled steel frame with pre-cast concrete floors due to large spans to the Nursery and Community facilities.

In addition we have installed ensuite shower pods in order to further increase predictability as the scheme has been designed to maximise on repetition of bedspace types. The scheme was completed to programme during early September 2005. It is worth noting that planning was only achieved in March 2004 and that despite an early start on site to overcome some changes in building regulations, the design development was carried out in parallel with the piling operation, where we had to stop work for 6 weeks due to our standing start on the detailed design. In all the project is an excellent example of how various MMC techniques can be utilised to assist in earlier project completions.

Construction Commencement
5 April 2004

Construction Completion
19 September 2005

Contract Sum
£5,521,784

Form of Contract
JCT 98 WCD

Cost per M²
£1,231