Warwick University, Lakeside Student Accommodation Refurbishment

University of Warwick, Lakseside Student Accommodation Refurbishment 

Project Overview

This project involved the refurbishment of student accommodation, comprising 150 bathrooms, 2 Disabled bathrooms, 21 kitchens,  36 roof void extract fans, 2 plate heat exchangers c/w heating pumps in the plant room. The aim was to modernise and upgrade the facilities within the accommodation to ensure a higher standard of living for students. The project had a tight timeline of 10 weeks and a budget of £1,100,000.

Project Objectives and Scope

Objectives:

• Renovate and refurbish 152 student bathrooms, 2 off which are for disabled people
• Upgrade 21 communal kitchens within the accommodation blocks.
• Replace 2 hot water plate heat exchangers c/w heating pumps in the plant room to ensure efficient hot water and heating for the entire accommodation.
• Replace 152 bathroom radiators with towel radiators.
• Replace all the existing radiator valves with Thermostatic type.
• Flush and sterilise all the domestic services distribution pipework to comply with the current water regulations.
• Complete the project within 10 weeks, to ensure the students can move back in for the new term time.

Scope of Work:

• Bathrooms: Isolation and removal of all sanitaryware and radiators, installation of new sanitaryware, extract grilles c/w installation of new fire dampers, plumbing and shower screens to meet modern standards.
• Kitchens: Isolation and removal of all kitchen services, Installation of new sinks, extract canopies c/w booster fans, for student living.
• Plantroom: Isolation and removal of existing hot water plate heat exchangers and heating pumps, installation of new plate heat exchangers and pumps ensuring a more efficient and sustainable operation of the building.

Challenges & Issues:

• Tight Timeline: The 10-week schedule was very demanding due to the scale of the refurbishment and the need to minimize disruption for the local residents on site
• Limited Access: Since the accommodation was already occupied, access to the areas for refurbishment was restricted prior to the work commencing, making coordination and work scheduling critical.
• Utility Disruptions: The plantroom also served another block of student accommodation which was occupied so ensuring the services remained live posed a significant challenge.
• Logistical Constraints: Managing the logistics of delivering materials, disposing of old fixtures, and keeping noise levels manageable in a residential area was a concern and had to be monitored daily.

Risk Management:

• Implemented a shift work schedule to work around student activities and ensure minimal disruption.
• Planned the work in to ensure that sections of the accommodation were kept operational.
• Close coordination with the university to ensure access during off-peak times and minimize inconvenience for students.

Solutions and Approach:

• Procurement: All suppliers were made of the tight project schedule and when required delivered in a “just in time” basis. Daily deliveries were planned and discussed during regular meeting with them.
• Shift Work: Due to the tight project and having to work around other trades weekend working and extended working hours was required to ensure the completion date was met.

Project Management Strategies:

• Detailed Planning: Daily meetings were held with the client and other trades to ensure critical dates were met.
• Clear Communication: The project team maintained clear communication with the university’s administration to ensure that the renovation work was coordinated and that the students were kept informed.
• Progress Monitoring: The use of project management software enabled real-time tracking of the progress, allowing for early identification of any delays or issues.

Collaboration:

• Strong collaboration between the principal contractor, subcontractors, and university staff was critical to keep the project on track.
• Close collaboration with the design team ensured that any design modifications needed during the project were swiftly addressed.

Results and Outcomes

• On-Time Completion: The project was completed within the 10-week timeframe, meeting the client’s deadline.
• Budget Compliance: Despite unforeseen challenges, the project was completed on budget at £1,100,000.
• Quality of Work: The refurbished bathrooms and kitchens met modern design and functionality standards, with feedback from residents indicating a high level of satisfaction.
• Operational Efficiency: The upgraded plant room significantly improved the efficiency of the accommodation’s heating and water systems, leading to long-term savings on utilities.

The university accommodation refurbishment project was a resounding success. Despite a tight timeline the team delivered high-quality results. The refurbishment has provided the students with modern and comfortable living spaces while improving operational efficiencies for the university. The project was completed on time, within budget, and to the satisfaction of all involved.