Cornell Quarter 14 September 2020 001 v2

Cornell Quarter - Student Accommodation

Project value: £21.4 million

Sector: Residential

Considerate Constructors Score: 46/50

Local spend within 40 miles: 71%

Local labour within 40 miles: 92%

SMEs engaged: 95%

Jobs created: 6

The procurement process for our £21.4m Cornell Quarter student accommodation was extremely efficient, and we are very pleased with the results to date.

Jill Thompson

Deputy Director of Campus Services at Teesside University

Teesside University has unveiled a new 300-bed residential complex complete with recreational facilities, through the SCAPE Venture framework, to cater to the increasing student population. This development represents a significant achievement in the University's £300 million Campus Masterplan.

Due to high growth in student numbers, Teesside University was in urgent need of 300 additional student bed spaces and recreational facilities by September 2020, providing students with a modern building that meets high standards and delivered within a tight budget and timescale.

The record-breaking pre-construction phase set the pace and tone for the overall programme. The team worked from a blank sheet of paper to start on site in just 24 weeks and then delivered the scheme on programme and budget in 76 weeks despite the effects of the Covid pandemic which hit 6 months before the project completion deadline.

Following Wates' success in delivering Teesside University's National Horizons building, the university appointed Wates through the SCAPE Venture framework to carry out feasibility works to ascertain the viability of the scheme.

The 8,286-square-metre, six-storey residential building is situated in a compact location and consists of 48 clusters, each containing 5-8 rooms. It’s an integral part of the university's extensive £300 million campus master plan. Shared amenities feature lounges, a laundry facility, a gym, a movie room, a reception area, and office space. The notable preconstruction phase set a rapid pace for the project, completing site preparation in just 24 weeks.

The project was completed in under two years and delivered to a thrilled client, defect-free, amid the pandemic. Thanks to an innovative carbon offsetting scheme, the building also earned a BREEAM Excellent rating.

The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdown posed a major challenge just months before project completion. By adjusting operations and creating new procedures, we minimised the impact of the university's close cooperation.

The site closed for only two days as we developed plans for safety and social distancing while keeping the project on track. Meetings shifted online, and staff aided monthly payment valuations and conducted after-hours site visits to maintain efficient management.

The town centre and active campus location added logistical challenges, which were addressed with strict site cleanliness, a Zero Harm policy, and active community engagement.

Platinum Award Winner – Constructing Excellence North East 2021 for Client of the Year

Through effective communication, collaboration and exceptional teamwork, the winning client organisation has delivered against an exceptionally tight timeframe with clear and positive direction from the outset. The impact of COVID-19 was limited to a 48hr stoppage whilst new procedures were developed, due to the trust and support of the client. Trust also resulted in a ‘no blame culture’, leading to no adversarial situations throughout the project.

Strong relationships were maintained throughout the project, from start to finish. We used an open-book approach and involved the client in every meeting. Problems were tackled through collaboration.

Pre-construction was completed quickly via the SCAPE Venture framework, fostering a partnership between Wates and Teesside University. Collaborative working is central to Wates and aligns with other SCAPE partners.

This scheme demonstrated exceptional partnership, crucial for moving from feasibility to on-site start in just 24 weeks. The building was finished on time, on budget, and with zero defects.

Other social value achievements included:

The carbon offsetting initiative using PV panels for site cabins and a waste compactor achieved 100% carbon and plastic recycling on-site, diverted 98% of waste from landfills, and earned a BREEAM Excellent rating.
Community efforts involved a neighbourhood litter pick with supply partners, door-to-door visits to meet residents, regular COVID-19 updates and newsletters, and collaborations with local schools and colleges.
The project team demonstrated outstanding leadership and a deep comprehension of their energy responsibilities, which resulted in onsite solutions. Noteworthy achievements include diverting 98% of waste from landfills, fully recycling plastic and cardboard through an onsite compactor, and significantly reducing water, electricity, and gas consumption well below the set targets.
The site offsets carbon emissions by calculating the emissions and energy used in plant operations and material production (brick and concrete) and funding equivalent verified CO2 reduction projects through a partnership with Carbon Footprint Ltd.
The team arranged for the early installation of photovoltaic solar panels on the roof to generate temporary site electricity, which helped cut electrical expenses and lower carbon emissions. Additionally, the project implemented green roofs, which are excellent energy savers in an urban setting. These roofs offer a rainwater buffer, clean the air, decrease ambient temperature, regulate indoor temperature, and promote biodiversity.
Careful consideration was given to the removal of existing trees outside the building to avoid disruption to the nesting season for resident birds.
A carbon offset program allowed plant operators to log carbon emissions, including those from materials like bricks and plasterboard. A carbon footprint calculator then determined the number of trees impacted, which we counteracted by planting new ones.

46/50

Considerate Constructors Score

90%

Customer Satisfaction

205%

The social enterprise target was beaten by

247

Apprenticeship weeks provided (four from Wates and eight supply chain apprentices)

£1.77

Social value returned for every £1 spent

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Cornell Quarter provides a first-class facility for students at the heart of the campus environment…. We have been pleased to work in partnership with Wates and applaud the dedication commitment and professionalism shown to get Cornell Quarter complete on time.

Malcolm Page

Chief Operating Officer | Teesside University

The pandemic plunged all construction sites into unchartered territory and just a few months from completion, it particularly affected the Cornell Quarter, yet throughout, the complete collaboration on-site helped by a ‘can-do’ attitude which could so easily have been replaced by defeatism, given the newness of the situation all were facing meant standards were maintained and production was unaffected

Trevor Trainor

Summers-Inman | client’s cost consultant