QUB’s Elms BT2 student accommodation on McClintock Street, Belfast is a shining example of positive urban regeneration to create much needed student accommodation that blends seamlessly with surrounding amenities. The project showcases a striking collection of multi-functional systems from architectural aluminium systems’ company, Metal Technology.
The £21,000,000 student residential development spans an imposing 16 floors and sits alongside the adjacent Maldron Hotel Belfast.
Made up of 476 bedrooms, it also includes an entrance foyer, retail unit and car park; together creating the perfect environment for the diverse student population to thrive.
Featuring Metal Technology’s System 17 capped curtain walling with a combination of System 5-35HI+ turn only windows, System 4-35HI+ thermally enhanced Casement windows, System 10 Commercial Doors and System 5-20D Hi+ thermally enhanced door systems, the development not only provides aesthetic appeal, but also the upmost standards when it comes to strength, safety and thermal insulation.
Metal Technology’s System 23 louvre also provides natural ventilation, light control and enhanced security for each residential unit.
Robert Clarke, of Consarc Design Group commented, “From an architectural perspective, key considerations for any student accommodation project include devising a layout and overall form that limits the impact that the repetitive nature of the accommodation can have on the façade of the building. A restrained palette of materials of brickwork, aluminium panels and sections of curtain walling on the front façade was arranged to portray three clear elements balanced within an overall composition.
“This simple, yet considered design helps to lift what could otherwise have been a monotonous form in this prominent city centre location. Metal Technology’s curtain walling system and louvres helped create an external façade that is both visually appealing and meets the high technical specification we required. The external louvres serve both as a safety device for the students and as a means to vary the rhythm of the façade in keeping with Consarc’s overarching vision for this project.”
All Metal Technology systems are designed to perform seamlessly together to deliver the desired aesthetic and performance standards. Used individually or together, they offer complete design flexibility for creative aesthetics with the assurance of value engineered structural, weather and security performance.
