The UCLan Student Centre and University Squares project has been shortlisted for a Construction News award.

The development in Preston for the University of Central Lancashire involved the design, construction and fit-out of a 9,504 m2 high-spec student centre with roof terrace and extensive public square.

The project was handed over on time and budget despite the challenges of Covid-19 and inflationary pressures and received a Considerate Constructors overall score of 44/50 ‘Exceptional’.

£8.6 million was put back into the regional economy with 51% spent locally. We facilitated 27 apprenticeships, 11 new employment opportunities and 2,000 hours of learning experiences for students.

Sustainability and supply chain best practice were essential to the project and the team worked closely with B&K Structures to redesign the original steel frame to a highly sustainable and innovative hybrid steel frame and CrossLaminated-Timber / Glulam frame, floors and stairs option.

This helped to gain a BREEAM Excellent score and WELL (the leading tool, for enhancing health and wellbeing in buildings) Silver accreditation. It also reduced embodied carbon by 24% and maximised programme efficiencies through offsite fabrication.

UCLan Director of Capital Projects, David Smith, said: “Without a doubt, B+K have impressed from the start with their ‘can do’ attitude which has not diminished over the course of the project. Their performance across all areas of delivery including programme, commercial, quality and ‘business as usual’ has been exemplary.

“This is the first project that we have undertaken with B+K and I would not hesitate to recommend them for future projects.”

Health and Safety was paramount and the project recorded zero RIDDORs (Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations) and the Considerate Constructor assessor noted: “The site has now recorded more than a year without an accident on site which is excellent and it is clear safety related issues remain of paramount importance to B+K in all areas of operation.”

The student centre is record-breaking as it has the highest and longest single span ‘continuous’ curtain walling system in Europe at 13.5 metres high and 100 metres long. The impressive glass exterior gives a pleasing aesthetic finish and doesn’t require additional fixings between its whole length