Menu

Union Square

Luxury student accommodation in Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

ACTIVair ACTIVair corridor lady walking

Main focus

Union Square comprises 146 student studio apartments and 15 multi-occupant student flats developed to be the highest specification student accommodation in the city. So when it came to designing the interior of its newest development, Brims Construction, the building contractor, focused on style, security and the comfort and well-being of its future residents.

Challenge

A key issue that Brims Construction wanted to tackle was that of indoor air quality, and the presence of airborne formaldehyde, as well as other volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These common chemicals are emitted from a variety of everyday sources, including cleaning products and new furnishings, and can have a negative impact on the health of room users. They are known to cause symptoms, such as headaches, lack of concentration and fatigue. The World Health Organisation (WHO) concerns about formaldehyde in relation to human health are well published (WHO guidelines for indoor air quality: selected pollutants; 2010).

“Students spend a lot of time in their accommodation – whether that’s studying, relaxing or socialising – so as part of our aim to create the highest specification of property possible, we chose to use products that also promoted their health and productivity” said Mick Morpeth, Project Manager at Brims Construction.

Solution

Working with British Gypsum Sales Manager, Brian Bone, Brims Construction chose a range of British Gypsum’s wall and ceiling solutions incorporating ACTIVair technology, including Gyproc SoundBloc plasterboard. This technology absorbs formaldehyde, a common VOC, and decomposes it into inert, non-harmful compounds to prevent its re-emission into the atmosphere, producing cleaner, fresher air for at least 50 years.

To maintain Union Square’s high specification finish over time, Brims Construction also specified a selection of high performance plasterboard solutions which are capable of withstanding the frequent knocks and scrapes that occur in student accommodation.

James Atkinson, Senior Development Surveyor at Adderstone Group, the owners of the accommodation, said: “All the materials used in Union Square needed to give a high spec finish that will last. The products used will improve the air quality, but also make it a safer, warmer and quieter space for the students to live and work in day to day.”

British Gypsum’s Glasroc F glass-reinforced gypsum board was specified for the walls due to its fire resistance and durability, while GypWall CLASSIC incorporating Gyproc SoundBloc, Gypframe AcouStuds and CasoLine MF ceiling system, were also selected to ensure high levels of acoustic insulation within the building. All ceiling and plasterboard systems incorporated ACTIVair technology to help reduce levels of formaldehyde.

Mick Morpeth, Project Manager at Brims Construction explained: “Because of the high numbers of students using the building, acoustics were an essential consideration to ensure that they have a peaceful place to live and study. We received a high level of support from British Gypsum throughout the process, to ensure that the project met all of our thermal efficiency, durability and acoustic criteria.”

Tony Edwards, Drylining Contractor at Rowan Specialist Interiors who installed the British Gypsum solutions, added: “While the products used in Union Square had added technology in-built, they were still as easy to install, and meant we could meet the customer’s tight deadline.”

ACTIVair corridor