Hundreds view "giant 3D jigsaw" at Kingston University open day
Mayor, students and members of the community see benefits of offsite Hybrid construction
The Mayor of Kingston borough, Councillor Julie Pickering, paid her second visit to the site of Kingston University's new "flagship education building", just 10 months after her first - the ground breaking ceremony. She joined more than 220 other people who were keen to find out more during a special tour, according to a recent report on the Building Construction Design website.
The tour was organised by Kingston University and project main contractor Willmott Dixon. It was provided for a range of interested visitors, such as students, staff, those with an interest in construction and local residents, according to the article. PCE Ltd worked with Willmott Dixon during the tender phase to develop an offsite fabricated hybrid solution for the concrete frame, the majority of which is exposed and requires a high standard of finish with architectural finished concrete being used for 175 external mullion and spandrel panels and over 300 beams and columns. PCE are providing the concrete structure on a Design, Manufacture and Construct basis.
Offsite manufacture
Roger Forsdyke, Managing Director of Willmott Dixon, was quoted as describing the essentials of offsite construction. “It is pre-cast, which means the entire concrete frame has been manufactured offsite and is being assembled piece-by-piece – making it like a giant 3D jigsaw, or Meccano set”. Professor Colin Rhodes the University’s Pro Vice-Chancellor for Culture and Public Engagement acknowledged the significance of the project, according to the article.
"Town House will lead the way for future education buildings by providing a new focal point for how the University engages with its local community..."
The new building when completed will act as the University's front door and offer a warm welcome to everyone including students, staff, alumni, as well as the local community and visitors from further afield. The majority of the suspended flooring is formed from 229 double tees weighing up to 18 tonnes with over 1,300 m2 of hollowcore flooring up to 500mm deep also being used. Other precast unit quantities include 275 columns, 318 beams, 50 solid walls and 52 stair/lift core boxes.
