London & South East

New Accommodation for Ovingdean

A Brighton based International Language College is partway through the construction of new student accommodation due to its thriving populous.

The need for more accommodation was proven last year when over 5000 students passed through Ovingdean Hall College. The project began in April 2013 and is set to be completed in August 2014.

Ovingdean Hall College teaches English as a foreign language and is the only campus facility in Brighton. Students visit the college from all over the world, usually coming in groups with leaders, to learn intensive English and visit cultural sites all over the country including London and Bath. Course lengths vary and can range from two weeks to a month. The college receives students of all ages and has taught individuals ranging from ten years old to mature students.

The new accommodation, valued at £3 million, comprises two single storey buildings one three storey and the conversion of the old gymnasium on the site. The new build section of the accommodation has been converted into 48 units, with 14 units to the existing block.

Upon completion the new accommodation will offer 62 brand new contemporary bedrooms for pupils. Current on site accommodation provides bedrooms for up to 320 pupils; the new facilities will increase capacity to 382 rooms.

The new building is a traditional build which comprises a mix of brick and blockwork. The initial structure has now been erected and is watertight, with the roofs on and the windows installed the focus on site now turns to the electrics, heating, and plumbing before the internal fit out can begin.

59 rooms have been installed with bathroom pods which contain a shower, toilets and basin in a sealed facility. The sealed bathroom pods were chosen following regular flooding of the current bathroom facilities due to students leaving showers running. There are also three larger traditional type adapted low level shower rooms, which are Doc M compliant.

The layout of the new bedrooms follows the classic ‘L’ shape of hotel bedrooms, and comprise of a single bed, a desk and wardrobe. They are modern and contemporary and will be a well received addition to the campus due to the constant influx of students, especially in the summer months.

The new accommodation which includes two single storey blocks and one three storey building does not hold communal areas. The blocks contain 62 en-suite rooms as the campus has a large dining hall, internet cafe and other public spaces that students can use.

Main contractors Amiri Construction Ltd are progressing a few weeks ahead of schedule so far. The Hampshire based building contracting business has established a reputation for delivering quality projects across a variety of market sectors, on time and to budget.

Amiri carry out a range of new build and refurbishment projects to public and private sector buildings. The firm has completed projects in the following industries; retail, commercial, residential, education, healthcare, industrial, manufacturing and leisure. The project architects were Hove based ABIR; the firm have a portfolio spanning residential, self build, heritage, community, education and small works projects.

Premier Construction caught up with Andy Spicer Director & Estates Manager at Ovingdean Hall College. He said:

“There was a definite shortage of accommodation at the college, and with Brighton being the second most popular destination in the country for foreign students after London, there was a real need to expand. The project has gone very well so far; we are in budget which is a plus and we are on schedule.

“We desperately need the accommodation because we are so busy so this development ticks all the boxes. It has been a pleasure working with Amiri Construction; they are a really great team and I am very impressed with their work.”

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