STUDENT ACCOMMODATION EXPERIENCE

Artisan Heights

The challenge, accepted by K2 was to plan & build a 603 bed, 32 storey student development on an extremely small & difficult site. It is adjacent to the River Medlock and Manchester’s Oxford Road Station viaduct and main train line.

K2CM overcame extensive risks, using their practical construction expertise. The team worked successfully with the contractor to overcome a series of complex logistical and design challenges. There were significant risks associated with constructing a tall building on a constrained site adjacent to a river and live rail lines – all successfully managed by the team. The project also featured multiple stakeholders, multiple party wall agreements and a technically challenging, radically designed façade.

By working collaboratively with specialist designers and contractors, K2CM oversaw the development of the design and construction solutions to allow the client and architects vision to be realised. All of this resulted in the project being shortlisted for Project of the Year Award at the Construction News Awards 2021. And it is a BREEAM Outstanding Landmark Development.

White Rose View

A landmark development in Leeds on a restricted, high profile city centre site next to Leeds Arena. Great teamwork led by our team at K2CM as PM and EA to overcome a variety of technical challenges posed by two high rise towers, basement car park and extensive public realm.

With two towers connected with a link bridge, a basement car park and redevelopment of external public spaces including significant s278 public realm works and 10,000 ft2 of associated commercial space, this was a technically challenging, but rewarding project.

We worked closely with our client, Unite to produce costed development appraisals which made the most of the site, appointing and managing the design team during pre-development stage and developing options which met the requirements of all stakeholders. We managed design charrettes and project risk and value management workshops from these earliest stages through the whole life of the project.

The nature of the site required complex logistics planning working closely with the contractor and multiple third parties. K2CM led extensive stakeholder management throughout, including between the developer, contractor, planning authority, counter terrorism officers, lawyers and highway authority during the s278 public realm redevelopment process.

K2CM worked in partnership with longstanding client Unite Students, to deliver the design and planning application for this unique development in West London. It will be London’s first net-zero-carbon student accommodation development both in terms of construction and operation. K2CM has worked closely with Unite to develop its design and construction strategies over ten individual developments across the UK. A key element of this partnership is the sustainability strategy, as exemplified by Baltic Wharf.

Baltic Wharf

It will be one of the UK’s most environmentally sustainable purpose-built student accommodation properties – featuring: Fully net zero carbon building in construction and operation; 1400m2 of green landscaping; harvested rainwater; 100% renewable sources of heat and electricity.

Improving the public realm. The 843-bed accommodation block will be made up of a series of stepped roof gardens, continuing the green ribbon of trees and landscaping which currently runs alongside the canal. Travis Perkins, which has occupied the site for more than 50 years, will continue to operate from the site.

Throughout the development an area larger than 7 tennis courts – will be planted with grasses and shrubs, including most of the building’s roof terraces. In total the extensive landscaping will lead to 850% uplift in biodiversity across the entire site.

London’s first Net Zero Carbon student accommodation development both in terms of construction and operation.