Project overview

Block B2, part of the Westway Square development catering to Oxford Brookes University students, stands as a prominent structure with its five-storey stature.

Project value
£20,000,000
Project value
Rating
Passivhaus design
Rating
eco-friendly and modern en-suite bedrooms
72
eco-friendly and modern en-suite bedrooms
RIBA Stage
2
RIBA Stage
Heritage Consultants
Bidwells
Heritage Consultants
5 national construction awards
5 Awards
5 national construction awards

Hosting 118 studio apartments, the block offers more than just accommodation; it serves as a hub of student life.

Residents benefit from various amenities, including a gym, laundrette, and a games area, fostering both convenience and recreation within the premises.

Access to Block B2 is facilitated through a link bridge connecting it to the main student reception situated in Block C. This strategic layout ensures seamless integration into the broader campus infrastructure. The external podium space surrounding Block B2 is meticulously designed with feature landscaping, creating an inviting outdoor social area for students to unwind and socialize.

Architecturally distinct from its neighbouring structures, Block B2 boasts a Metek frame spanning its five stories.

This framework not only enhances structural integrity but also contributes to the overall aesthetic appeal of the building. Noteworthy features include curtain walling to the Cooperative Store’s retail space and three slate-tiled trussed roofs, adding character to the facade. Moreover, the amenities provided within Block B2 are tailored to enrich the student experience. In addition to the aforementioned facilities, residents have access to a communal TV room and a terrace garden, further enhancing the sense of community and well-being.

Project team

Adam Knaggs

Adam Knaggs

Managing Director

Adam joined SDC in 1995 as a Site Engineer. His position as Managing Director involves contributing to the day-to-day running of the business, setting the strategy for projects, and supporting all departments. Adam’s active approach to problem solving has been a defining trait of his career, as recognised by the Institution of Civil Engineers who honoured him with their Site Engineer of the Year Award 1999, in which he was praised for designing his own shuttering system.

Andrew Shiner

Andrew Shiner

Director

Andy joined SDC as a Site Agent and rose through the ranks to Project Director, before taking on his current role as Board Director in 2020. The experience he gained in all three professions will undoubtedly assist him in leading this scheme. On a previous project for NIAB in Cambridge, Andy’s team were responsible for SDC’s highest Considerate Constructors’ score to date (90 out of 100) and a Runner’s Up Prize at the CCS National Awards in 2019.

Andrew Mitchell

Andrew Mitchell

Director

Andrew is a senior member of staff who holds the role of Director/Company Secretary. He joined SDC in 1994, and had therefore been with the company for almost thirty years. He plays a key role in ensuring that board procedures are both followed and regularly reviewed. The Chairman and Board Directors will look to the Company Secretary for guidance as to what their responsibilities are under the rules and regulations to which they are subject, and on how these responsibilities should be discharged.

Francis Shiner

Francis Shiner

Chairman

Since joining the company in 1983, Francis has assumed various roles, from Chief Surveyor to managing Director, ultimately assuming the position of Chairman in 2021.

Dan Changer

Dan Changer

Director

Dan studied Architecture at the University of Cambridge and worked as a chartered Architect before joining SDC in 2010. Joining as a Design Coordinator, Dan then opted to work as a Contracts Manager, receiving a promotion to Project Manager before his appointment to the Board of Directors in 2020. His duties and responsibilities include setting the overall strategy for the project, as well as leading the project team and ensuring the scheme is delivered within the client’s time, quality and budget constraints. Dan’s client-focused attitude and collaborative problem-solving approach will be crucial to the scheme’s successful delivery.