University of Essex, The Meadows
Our scheme at the Meadows was built with sustainability and energy efficiency in mind, achieving BREEAM ‘Excellent’ and EPC ‘A’ ratings as well as Level 4 of the Code for Sustainable Homes.
The development
Uliving and investment partner Equitix have worked together with the University of Essex to create The Meadows. The high-spec and vibrant scheme features a combination of town houses and cluster flats organised around the pavilion - a dedicated 100 sqm social space.
The Meadows comprises 420 en-suite bedrooms in clusters of five to seven students, 228 bedrooms within 19 townhouses (each townhouse having 12 bedrooms, six bathrooms and a shared open-plan living space with kitchen/diner), common room, laundry and a retail unit located within the Pavilion.
Project fact file
- Client
- University of Essex
- Size of development
- 1,428 student beds in clusters and townhouses
- Time to develop
- 1 year
- Developer
- Uliving
- Constructor
- Bouygues Construction
- Facilities management
- Derwent FM
- Architect
- Lewis & Hickey
Uliving’s project at Essex had a very challenging timescale, with less than a year to hand the accommodation over to the University. The key to achieving this was the successful collaboration of different partners and the commitment and expertise of everyone involved. The project was delivered on time, completing in September 2013.
The buildings were designed in accordance with the University’s Master Plan and the Borough Council’s Urban Design Framework. In developing our proposals we were able to demonstrate that the massing of the buildings complemented both the existing built environment and that envisaged within the master plan.
As a result of this proactive approach, the scheme achieved BREEAM ‘Excellent’ and EPC ‘A’ ratings, as well as Level 4 of the Code for Sustainable Homes.
Uliving has maintained a positive approach to sustainability whilst managing the scheme, implementing a number of measures, including; minimising the volume of waste created through careful management of site activities; maximising the volumes of residual waste that could be recycled; using recycled and recyclable (non-timber) shuttering; incorporating energy-efficient fittings in welfare accommodation and using a skip-washing unit incorporating a water recycling system.