Newman University, Birmingham

Newman University, in Bartley Green, South Birmingham brought forward new proposals to develop its campus, with a view to attracting more students.

The proposals involved the extension of the existing Sturge Building, to provide new teaching spaces, and to build a new 108 bedroom accommodation block on an existing car parking area.

Morgan Sindall were appointed to carry out the building works, who approached CGJ Services to undertake the M&E installations. The client’s initial requirements proved to be over budget, so CGJ worked initially with Morgan Sindall and Stewart Associates to engineer a revised scheme that would fall within the client’s available budget.

When this initial scheme was achieved, CGJ developed the scheme to meet the requirements of the University. Heating and lighting schemes were adjusted in the Sturge building. A thorough analysis of all available service spaces was undertaken in order to make best use of materials and careful routing was employed in order to maximise available space. A number of alternative installation methods were used in order to achieve a satisfactory, professional installation, suitable for a student accommodation building, whilst meeting budget constraints.

The Sturge Building has been extensively re-modelled, and incorporated a new atrium area, to make best use of natural light and ventilation, and the spaces fitted with LED lighting throughout, linked to a lighting control system to operate in conjunction with daylight levels to save energy as much as possible.

The teaching rooms were fitted with natural ventilation units in the external walls, with a facility to temper the incoming fresh air to maintain comfortable temperature levels. The central lecture theatres and IT rooms were fitted with comfort cooling via ceiling mounted units, whilst being mechanically ventilated via roof mounted AHUs.

The whole project was served by centralised control systems, with fire alarms, security systems and data installations being either renewed or extended.

The accommodation block was fitted with LED lighting throughout, and heated via a centralised gas fired LPHW heating system. A CHP was installed to provide electricity whilst pre-heating water for domestic use. This would then be heated to the required operating temperature by gas fired hot water systems, to cater for the high number of showers. All domestic water services are served via a boosted storage system.

Bedrooms were naturally ventilated via opening windows, with bathrooms having individual extract fans. Each block of bedrooms has a common room area with a kitchen for use by the students, with a communal laundry situated on the ground floor.

All student rooms have desks, fitted with LED work lighting and networking points, plus USB charging facilities for personal items. The accommodation is protected via fire alarm systems and dry risers, and a comprehensive intruder alarm system is installed.

The ground floor also has larger “studio flat” rooms, and accessible rooms suitable for students with disabilities.

The project was satisfactorily completed to meet the University’s target dates schedule in Autumn 2017.