Embassy court

The Green, Bradford University

Type and size of project

A 1000-bed student accommodation project at The Green; a £40million state-of-the-art development at Bradford University.


Key Facts

Working with main contractor, GB Building Solutions, Stewart Milne Timber Systems provided a cost effective open panel build system which assisted the properties in achieving an outstanding environmental performance from the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM). The development comprised six blocks of four storey townhouses, one block of six storey flats and two blocks of seven storey flats.

With speed of build and performance levels key aspects of the project, Stewart Milne Timber Systems utilised offsite construction in order to meet the necessary requirements. Along with the open panel build system, the supplier was responsible for loading pre-fabricated bathroom pods and plasterboard for each unit. The contract also included the manufacture and fitting of timber stairs for the townhouses and integrating steel steps within the timber frame erection of the apartments. Demonstrating its health and safety credentials, the company also provided pre-clad roof void firebreaks and fully sheeted the party walls to assist compartmentation of the units during construction.

Delivered on behalf of Mi7 Developments and Welbeck Land, the student accommodation is the first phase of a larger £150m development plan for the Lister Mills area of Bradford which will also include academic and healthcare facilities in a bid to revitalise the campus and surrounding region.
What our customer said

With Stewart Milne being one of the biggest names in timber frame in the UK we were very interested to see how they differed from other timber frame manufacturers and whilst we hadn’t worked with them previously, we had attended seminars by them.

During the early design stages their Design Co-ordinator Frank Strachan, worked closely with the whole design team to make sure that the timber frame was fully coordinated with mechanical and electrical systems whilst achieving the architectural design we required. One of the real advantages of using Stewart Milne was that their System allowed a much easier installation of services throughout the building.

Frank was constantly on the phone or coming to our office to resolve any design queries. He helped ensure that our plans met Planning requirements and made sure it went as smoothly as possible. As a result we have ended up with what we initially set out to achieve.

Working with Stewart Milne Timber Systems helped us achieve a BREEAM outstanding award, because all the timber used within the frame is FSC sourced which was closely monitored by the BREEAM Assessor. Panelised Timber Frame Construction was used to rapidly achieve a weather tight building envelope which allowed services and internal finishes to commence early within the construction process which reduced the construction programme. The use of timber for the building shell is highly sustainable as timber is the only construction material with a positive impact on the environment as it is a renewable resource and acts as a carbon store. The use of a timber frame also facilitates the building to be highly insulated between the studwork and extremely airtight with the use of membranes fixed to the internal face of the timber frame.

We worked very well with Stewart Milne and achieved the best possible outcome. I would have no hesitation in recommending Stewart Milne Timber Systems and we hope to use them again in the future.

Chris Guyatt
Associate, GWP Architecture