Bluebell View Student Residences

The four blocks were constructed on a site with protected local species and connected to an existing CHP heating and power network. Each block shared a generic plan and module arrangement but was massed differently to create articulated volumes. Rooms were naturally ventilated with local LTHW heating and modular en-suite pods, designed for efficiency and rapid construction. The project was procured via a two-stage traditional contract with design team novation to the contractor, Kier Construction, for delivery.

Site constraints included the presence of protected species requiring habitat mitigation, and the need to connect and expand an existing campus-wide CHP network without disrupting ongoing operations. Achieving adequate ventilation, daylight, and privacy in every room while standardising layouts for cost and construction efficiency was also a key design challenge. Coordinating prefabricated modular en-suite pods with core riser services and infrastructure systems added complexity.

Harley Haddow designed a thermal store solution to supplement the existing CHP network, avoiding central plant modifications while meeting peak loads. Rooms incorporated angled, fixed window modules with louvred side panels for natural ventilation and purge airflow. Modular bathroom pods were integrated with the tunnel form concrete structure and 3D-designed risers for efficient off-site prefabrication and fast on-site installation. The MEP design included continuous trickle and boost ventilation, IT and comms integration, and energy-efficient local heating. Employer’s requirements were developed to RIBA Stage D and handed to the contractor for Stage F construction, enabling completion on time and within the £25m budget.