The resplendent and gently curving six storey University Campus Suffolk (UCS) waterfront building – located alongside the Orwell Key – has been designed by architects RMJM.
Martin Lardner Burke from RMJM commented: “The simplicity and flexibility of the Fermacell system allowed us to easily meet and overcome requirements and potential issues on site. The holistic approach and clear communication and support from the Fermacell team was both professional and timely.”
The development is Suffolk’s first University and is a joint initiative between the Universities of East Anglia and Essex. The scheme has established a new ‘Education Quarter’ in Ipswich through the relocation of the existing college of further education and the creation of a new university student hub and administration HQ.
Main contractors on the scheme were Willmott Dixon Construction, with Essex-based BG Contracts sub contractors and installers of the Fermacell boards.
“It eliminates all the coordination and setting out issues for FFE items that need fixing to the walls, giving the Client and design teams greater scope. As dry lining systems go, it is certainly one of the better ones.”
Tim Egan, Project Manager for BG Contracts commented: “Fermacell ticked all the right boxes for the client, as usual. BG Contracts value engineered it into the LIFT (health) initiatives some years ago and have been a strong proponent since.
We have now successfully taken it with us into the education sector and will continue to advocate its use in future projects.”
The hub has been awarded an ‘excellent’ rating by BREEAM (BRE’s Environmental Assessment method), which is the world’s longest established and most widely used environmental assessment method for buildings. Fermacell’s environmental credentials certainly contributed to this award.
The centre pieces of the building are two art lecture theatres – each able to accommodate 140 people located on the ground floor. This level also comprises an impressive reception area and restaurant, as well as two exhibition areas.
These will be made available to host a wide range of events and shows and the general public will have access to them. A welcome addition to the ground floor will be a 400 square metre restaurant facility.
Throughout the building are a further three 80, and six 60 seater classrooms with a host of inter-changeable rooms available.
Fermacell was specified for the internal walling because of its durability and robustness – key in a building that will endure heavy footfall and likely to be subjected to the knocks that come with this.
Simple to install – although the technique is slightly different to plasterboard – Fermacell does not need a wet plaster skim to produce a suitable surface for painting.
It is inherently stronger than conventional plasterboard and, as well as its strength and acoustic properties, it also provides fire, impact and moisture resistance. The strength comes from its gypsum matrix, which is reinforced with recycled paper and, because of its higher density, is far more effective in reducing sound transmission.
New schools are now covered by Requirement E4 from Part E of the Building Regulations and Building Bulletin 93 contains guidance on how to achieve requirements for sound insulation, reverberation time and internal ambient noise by complying with the standards laid down.
Partition walls will need to attain the performance levels deemed necessary for a particular application area. For example, a music room will need additional sound proofing to dampen the transfer of sound to any adjoining classrooms.
Another major benefit of utilising 12.5mm Fermacell board is the level of fire resistance that it can provide. Depending on the system it is used in conjunction with, Fermacell can provide fire resistance solutions from 30 minutes up to 2 hours.
Fermacell Technical Manager Andy Richardson commented: “The level of fire protection will depend on a number of factors. These include whether the Fermacell boards are integrated within a timber or steel structure, if there is insulation present and the height of the walls. We can react very quickly to given design requirements and provide solutions for walls up to 15 metres high.”
This scheme was the first of three planned phases with the second stage being located further along Orwell Quay, which is to be named University Quay. It will comprise private residential, student accommodation and an educational quarter which will include IT laboratories, health rooms, specialist areas and the all important student bar.
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