Bowmer + Kirkland has craned the first of 438 offsite-manufactured modules into a new £54m student accommodation scheme in London’s Wembley.
First Way Campus, a 678-bedroom student accommodation scheme, is being developed by Cole Waterhouse to provide accommodation for the University College of Football Business (UCFB) and Unite Student Living.
The pre-manufactured modules, which make up the bedrooms, kitchens and corridors of the residential areas of the project, will continue to be lifted into place at a rate of six per day with the last modules being installed by January 2020.
A 500-tonne mobile crane is being used from three different positions to lift the modules into place. The modules have been built over the last twelve months by Caledonian in Newark.
Work on the project, which also includes four floors of office space and a new teaching campus for UCFB, started in September 2018.
To prepare for the installation, Bowmer + Kirkland installed 403 continuous flight augering (CFA) piles, installed piles caps and then erected a structural steel core. The steel core has also been fire protected the prior to the module installation.
Matthew Cruttenden, regional director from Bowmer + Kirkland said: “The installation of the first module follows a huge effort by the entire project team and is a real milestone and one which puts us firmly on target to deliver this exciting and modern facility for the UCFB and Unite students.”
Damian Flood, CEO of Cole Waterhouse added: “The modular design enables us to ensure swift installation and with off-site manufacture there is a reduction in snagging and a greater overall finish quality. Adhering to the term time completion date for First Way Campus is crucial and this route further reduces the risk of any delays.”