Belfast

ELMS BT2 MCCLINTOCK STREET
 
Country: UK, Northern Ireland
Location: Belfast
Purpose: residential space, hotel space, retail, services
Main Contractor:  McAleer & Rushe
Architect:  McAleer & Rushe
Our contribution: Performing static, fabrication and site project curtain walls.
Complete: 2018

The project realized on McClintock Street, a prime location in the heart of Belfast assumed the construction of a building accommodating student lodgings and an academic hotel. 
The development enjoys a prime location in the heart of Belfast on the corner of McClintock Street and Brunswick Street in the area known as "Linen Green". The building replaced old Met Collage dormitory. The advancement of Queen University in Belfast resulted in a big influx of students not only from Northern Ireland but also form other parts of the UK as well as the students from outside of the United Kingdom. The university with the help of the city therefore invested in building new student accommodation centers within walking distance of Queen's, in close proximity of the shopping centers and well connected with the city’s center. Simple but functional and effective project meet all of those expectations. Inside the building there are 476 bedrooms along with extensive communal social spaces, landscaped courtyards with accompanying auxiliary accommodation and retail space for 3rd party use on the ground floor.

PROJECT
The building officially known as Elms BT2 is an example of a positive revitalization of urban space with the aim of creating student accommodation that blends seamlessly with the surroundings.
The system of metal curtain walls not only made the structure aesthetic, but also allowed it to meet the highest standards in terms of strength, safety and thermal insulation. Metal shutters also provide natural ventilation, light supply and greater security for the living unit. From an architectural standpoint, the key considerations for any student accommodation project include the development of a layout and overall form that limits the impact of the generally repetitive nature of such buildings on their facade. The restrained material palette of brick, aluminum panels and curtain wall sections on the front façade has been arranged to show three distinct elements balanced in an overall layout. This simple but thoughtful design helps to give the building, which could be a monotonous form of individual character, inscribed in the development of the city center. The curtain wall system and metal shutter technology helped to create an exterior facade that is visually attractive and meets high technical requirements.