CLC was tasked with two projects concurrently for the University of Nottingham: refreshing the Cripps Hall area (including Lower Cripps) and Cavendish (Chatsworth & Hardwick Halls).
CLC completed refurbishment and redecoration to two halls of residence for the University of Nottingham as a part of their Building Framework (£200k to £1.5m). We have been refurbishing and redecorating student accommodation for the University since April 2022. On average we complete 500-1000 bedrooms and 200-400 communal spaces a year on this framework. Each Contract has had a value of £200K-£650K.
The Project
We worked on two projects concurrently: refreshing the Cripps Hall area (including Lower Cripps) and Cavendish (Chatsworth & Hardwick Halls). The multiple Halls of Residence included student bedrooms, en-suite and/or shared bathrooms, corridors, staircases, and various communal spaces which needed redecorating and re-flooring before the new academic year.
Innovations
As a part of the brief, the carpets/vinyl in all the halls needed to be replaced. We were able to source a new (alternative) UK manufacturer which made the delivery of the new carpets far more reliable and cost effective for the client (compared to the European supplier initially specified). Not only did it cut costs, but it massively cut down our carbon footprint. Keeping supply chains local and procuring materials within the UK is one of the many ways we are ensuring CLC’s environmental sustainability and supporting local economies. Old furniture was collected by a local charity to reduce waste and help the community.
Our Solutions
Completing projects within the Education sector can be a challenge because they often have tight deadlines. Tight quality control on site is paramount to mitigate any return visits for operatives. With every project we carry out for the university, we allocate a core team to deliver the work and closely monitor the required resources throughout the project to ensure the successful delivery of the scheme. To avoid disruption to the students, refurbishments need to be completed within the 6-12 week window during the summer holidays. Close coordination with the client, consultant(s), and local hall managers with careful planning of these phased projects is vital to completing the job on time. Although other service providers are often working on the location at the same time as us, our many years of experience allow us to effectively work alongside other tradespeople while maintaining the health and safety of our operatives.
The Results
We have completed refurbishments to 479 bedrooms and around 70 communal areas, including a 1,250m² common room, across both halls of residence. The rooms now look refreshed, fit for purpose and ready for the new students. We have worked to rejuvenate several of the university’s student residences and have recently also completed miscellaneous redecoration and refurbishment work for their maintenance team outside of the framework. This Framework continues to be mutually beneficial to all CLC, the client, consultants, subcontractors and suppliers.