NElson STreet

Student Accommodation Belfast

The Project

Nelson Street is a 790 bed purpose built student accommodation development in Belfast City Centre. This scheme delivered a reinforced concrete framed student residence rising twelve storeys on a brownfield site, arranged in a neat C shape around a central space. The project also provided a high quality sports hall facility for Ulster University formed utilising a trussed steel frame.

The Challenge

The main challenge was the late introduction of a university standard sports hall within what was originally conceived as an external atrium, fully enclosed by the surrounding student accommodation. Programme, timing and logistics were critical, as the PBSA works needed to advance ahead of sports hall planning consent and detailed design. Adding further complexity, the client brief required the roof of the approximately 20m x 35m clear span sports hall to support vibrant student amenity spaces, including a running track above, creating demanding structural and performance requirements.

Our Solutions

The PBSA structure was delivered using an efficient reinforced concrete flat slab system, carefully coordinated at an early stage with the architectural team to eliminate unnecessary transfer structures and maximise value and buildability. The sports hall was designed using prefabricated compound steel trusses, achieving the required clear span while supporting an in-situ concrete slab above. The structure was meticulously designed to accommodate both static and dynamic loading, while tightly controlling deflection and vibration for user comfort. Seamlessly integrating the sports hall into a frame that was already designed and partially constructed required rigorous interface management, precise lifting strategies and carefully controlled truss weights. Close collaboration between the contractor and design team was central to overcoming these challenges and delivering a highly successful outcome.

© Chris Humphreys Photography