Student Housing, Cranfield University, Bedfordshire

Cranfield University specialises in post graduate studies, particularly in engineering, science and management. The University currently exists on two sites, but is to be re-combined on one. Part of this strategy requires 250 student rooms in 5 new blocks. It was decided to use a structure of tunnel form cast in-situ reinforced concrete. Tunnel form use means that structural cross walls make partitions between rooms, and the repetition of room dimension allows for an efficient steel formwork system to be fabricated. There is a 24 hour cycle for setting formwork up, fixing reinforcement, and pouring concrete.

There are many advantages to this system. It is extremely  economical because the formwork can be used 75 times. The construction is  relatively fast, and it has  good thermal and acoustic properties, with re-cycled and low CO2 components. The small structural spans mean that acoustic considerations determine structural sizes. The scheme was completed within 12 months on site, and was fully occupied in January 2008.

Architect Stanton Williams Architects