The scheme, designed by Lewis & Hickey Architects, will comprise228 bedrooms across 19 four-storey townhouses.
It is part of a wider project known as The Meadows that includes a development of flats for a further 420 students. It is the first development on the university’s Knowledge Gateway site.
Stewart Milne Timber Systems will be on site for just 11 weeks, to erect pre-insulated external walls and load bathroom pods into place by mobile crane. As part of its £500,000 contract, the company will also supply and fit fire retardant, class O treated stair flights.
Stewart Milne Timber Systems group managing director Alex Goodfellow said: “Demand for good quality student accommodation is high and a fast turnaround time is crucial. This is one of the many benefits of using a timber build system which can deliver significant savings in time and cost thanks to the amount of offsite fabrication possible.”
With record numbers of students gaining places at Essex, the university has committed to providing good quality on-campus accommodation for first-year and overseas students.
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