T784 Towers Refurbishment (Phase Two - Eddington)

The University of Essex (the Authority) invites expressions of interest for participation in a tender process for the refurbishment of the second of six Towers, Eddington, at our Colchester campus.

Earlier this year, the University of Essex started work on the refurbishment of its first Tower and over the coming five years, will refurbish the remaining five towers, providing more thermally efficient buildings, with all new services, considerably enhancing the student accommodation for many years to come.

The project involves the complete removal of almost all elements to the building, only the wall and floor structures will remain intact. The existing services will be fully stripped out including all of the plant serving the building. Both of the existing lifts will be entirely removed and remedial works undertaken to the lift shafts. All of the windows and curtain walling will be removed which will require a full scaffold to the entire building.

All new services are to be installed with a considerable amount of design consideration to reflect the way in which students live and operate within the building. For example, the introduction of mechanical ventilation to all communal areas and student bedrooms. The building will have a new fire detection system, combined with an all new misting sprinkler system throughout. Fire compartmentation will be given great attention both horizontally and vertically through the building. The project will also deliver new fire-fighting lifts. Within the design brief, the ethos has been to implement high levels of protection to life of the occupants and to enhance the fire strategy for the building.