Modular
building construction installer
Wernick Buildings Ltd - Students' Union gets fast track building solution
The Students’ Union at London South Bank University (LSBU) is
always busy. It serves 20,000 students who come from a wide
range of backgrounds that are as diverse as London’s population
has always been. So, when it became necessary to relocate the
Students’ Union (SU) for 2 years, at short notice, the hunt was
on for a rapid accommodation solution. The successful design
would have to be completed as quickly as possible and facilitate
the University’s extensive re-development plans. The SU is an
organisation with a large financial turnover so there could be
no cessation of the vast array of campus functions it
accommodates, not least the housing of the essential social
aspects of campus life.
With ten construction companies pitching for the business, it
rapidly became apparent to the University that the solution
could only be met by a modular construction method if the tight
timescale was to be met.
Neath Abbey based Wernick Buildings won the contract with a
design that would meet the University’s budget parameters and
time scale, as well as the SU’s requirement for a
multi-functional building.
The design had to meet the needs and requirements of the SU’s
many clubs and societies and house the offices for the elected
officers and managerial and administrative staff. The building
would also be used by some outside organisations that use the
facilities and generate additional revenue for the SU. To meet
all these requirements the University agreed a two-storey, 1100
square metre design which includes offices, meeting rooms and a
radio station studio on the first floor. The ground floor has a
reception area and a 370 square metre multi-functional hall,
flanked by a café, bar and stage area. The hall can be split
using large folding doors, allowing the ground floor to cater
for two simultaneous functions. The doors also create an alcohol
free area that was a prerequisite of the design as the SU wished
to cater for all users.
Outwardly the design had to satisfy the LSBU’s long-term
objectives to influence the public perception of the University
through the quality of its buildings. To achieve this, the
University has identified a menu of projects that will involve
the radical renovation of existing accommodation, create new
buildings, and significantly improve public thoroughfares that
permeate the campus. Central to the plan is to bring all the
faculties closer to the centre of the campus, whilst creating
open spaces that will give the Elephant & Castle campus
permeability and visibility. The new Students’ Union building is
at the hub of all this activity.
Mike Hogg, the SU’s General Manager commented, “We have had very
positive feed back from the students and the many outside bodies
that hire the centre. Everyone says the same – it doesn’t look
like a prefabricated building”. Mike continued, “I have been
involved in this project from the start and can say that it has
been designed to a high specification. We are very pleased with
the end result”.
Email:
jeff.bownds@wernick.co.uk