Throwback | We’re revisiting some of our most impressive, innovative projects as part of our build up to 30 years of BSE celebrations.
BSE’s CEO, Andrew Fraser shares the benefits of modular construction, recapping the Laurus Wing, Acton Campus project at Australian National University (ANU) 15 years on. The modular approach provided improved environmental outcomes, created a safe environment, reduced cost and time whilst meeting program commitments and delivering exceptional facilities for students.
Background
Back in 2009 I was appointed to provide a range of building services consulting engineering on a student accommodation project for the Australian National University at the Acton Campus in Canberra. From the beginning it was clear that this project was to be like no other. A new concept for student accommodation was on the table.
ANU assembled a strong team to deliver on the vision for the project. This included Architectus (architecture), BG&E (structural engineer) and BSE (building services). Hutchinson Builders were subsequently appointed as the constructor of the development.
The project needed to deliver a high-quality living environment economically, sustainably and ready for expansion and staging. The new facility needed to provide a range of self-contained living units with studio and single bedroom variants.
The Twist
Modular
Practicality
The building design integrated low cost, high quality prefabricated student housing modules which are in essence, a bespoke modified shipping container. The contained built in-place elements provide a pleasant living, working and studying environment for occupants, designed to nurture learning and encourage social interaction between students.
Project Delivery
The traditional building approach has materials arrive on site that are then cut and installed by skilled specialists. Reducing waste was commonly a low priority, or not possible this way. Using a modular approach to design and construction delivered benefits beyond quality management and expedited completion times. Removing construction activities from site also reduced site disruption while improving safety, security and efficiency. These benefits are engrained in many projects nowadays, with acceptance that modular construction is an alternative to conventional construction.
Once a modular unit was on site, architectural features and final fixtures were added, making the result indistinguishable from conventional construction, all with maximized economic efficiency and tight program compliance. For the Laurus Wing, 18 units were delivered and installed daily!
Since delivering the Laurus Wing modular student accommodation, BSE’s teams have applied these concepts and benefits through other student accommodation projects and other asset classes such as education facilities and residential high-rise developments where modular bathrooms are an easy innovation.
We look back to 2009 and for the time, this was a revolutionary approach to providing student accommodation solutions. The six-level Laurus Wing building was one of Australia’s first fully modular multi-storey developments. The combination of low-cost, high quality pre-fabricated modules with innovative design delivered superior student housing that was environmentally sensitive and well-placed to modify for future expansion. Modularisation was a very obvious way to go. However, between then and now, how many similar projects have been constructed in Australia and it begs the question…….WHY?
