Elements Europe has commenced manufacture of Room Modules for a brand new student accommodation scheme in Plymouth’s city centre.

The development which is being constructed by Elements Europe’s sister company Pickstock Construction is set to enhance Plymouth’s skyline and meet a much-needed demand for student accommodation in the city.

Elements Europe will install Room Modules into Block A, a 13-storey building, and Bathroom Pods into Block B, a 10-storey high building.

For Block A, Elements Europe will manufacture Room Modules and kitchen modules. Selected modules will be manufactured as split modules and the Room Module system has been developed to incorporate a corridor built in rather than corridor cassettes being manufactured separately.

Mark Jowett, Head of Design for Elements Europe commented “We modularised the building to get the very best efficiently on the factory floor and at install stage. By manufacturing split modules and modules with corridors incorporated means we can gain further efficiencies in our processes.”

Block B will be built traditionally as a concrete frame with Elements Europe manufacturing and installing 60 Bathroom Pods for this block.

Kevin Arthur, Director at Elements Europe commented: “Our steel frame systems are perfect for multi-storey buildings such as this, and is where modular construction really comes into its own, delivering speed and efficiency.”

“We are delighted to be collaborating with our sister company Pickstock Construction yet again to deliver another student accommodation scheme.” Arthur added.

The accommodation is set to open in time for the September 2017 intake of students with Mears Group being the student operators.

Elements Europe will again work with Jefferson Sheard’s professional team to deliver this scheme.

Mike Hall, Regional Director and Project Architect for Jefferson Sheard commented: “We are very pleased to have designed this exciting mixed-use scheme as part of the ongoing positive regeneration of Plymouth.”

“We’ve produced a high-quality design solution to a challenging constrained site whilst working closely with Pickstock Construction and Elements Europe to utilise innovative modular construction techniques as part of the build solution.  We look forward to seeing the works progress on site and becoming a dramatic part pf the Plymouth skyline.” Hall added.

It is noted that Plymouth lacks sufficient purpose built student accommodation in comparison to other major university cities. Plymouth is home to approximately 26,000 students, however there are less than 4,000 beds provided by purpose-built student schemes in the city.