Stirling Campus Student Residences, Stirling

Woolgar Hunter were engaged as Civil and Structural Engineers on a rolling programme of redevelopment of the existing student residences at the University of Stirling.

This involved the demolition of several blocks of outdated 1970's accommodation and replacement with over 700 new bed spaces to current standards. These were typically on a 'cluster flat' basis but designed to be able to operate as a 'hotel' format outwith term time.
The development was phased to maintain accommodation throughout the build process.

Following a thorough structural options appraisal, during which a variety of structural solutions were considered, a 'Slimfloor' steel frame with concrete floor slab solution was adopted. This utilised precast concrete planks built into the depth of the steel beams, thus providing a flat soffit for ease of partition detailing and services distribution, as well as future layout flexibility. The concrete slabs provided excellent acoustic properties between floors. The external elevations were designed to be sympathetic to the original aesthetic of the campus, using light block-work and a ribbon widow pattern. Structurally this involved provision of masonry support at floor levels from the steelwork frame. Programme was critical to the development, with phases needing to be completed within the year between vacation and a new term. The steel framed structure and use of prefabricated bathroom modules helped to minimise and successfully achieve the programme requirements.