Buildings Report

Despite the interruptions that this year has brought, the Buildings team has worked tirelessly to ensure both our regular maintenance work and large projects have not suffered as a result of the pandemic. Here are some highlights from the last year.

Old Court

Phase 1a - the Refurbishment and Conservation of Old Court: This year, the College played host to the largest set of scaffolding ever erected in Cambridge, which was assembled over the North Range of Old Court during Michaelmas term. From November 2019, works commenced to restore the roof using specially-mined Collyweston slate. These works progressed very well with the contractor operating ahead of programme and the West Range completed prior to lockdown. The site was shut down in March, but by the middle of May was able to reopen with strict social distancing and safe working measures in place. This allowed the North Range to be completed, and internal refurbishment of student rooms in A & B staircase. During the summer with the Court quieter than normal, the gas has been repiped to the new boiler room in E staircase, with the new plantroom being completed in early October, just in time for Phase 1b to commence.

Phase 1b - the extension of the River Room: In spite of the current difficulties, the logistics package of work was let in the middle of lockdown and commenced on site on the programmed date of 28th June 2020. This project involves the construction of a roadway and temporary bridge across the Cam to get to the site. As this report is written, this work is proceeding well. The main works have also recently commenced on the 28th September, again all in a COVID-19 safe manner and completely segregated from the College.

St Regis

The construction of the St Regis residence had proceeded well during the first part of the year, with the main structure and brickwork complete, and the buildings made watertight prior to lockdown. The construction resumed on 11th May but with only 25%-50% of the labour force onsite due to coronavirus restrictions. This has unfortunately meant that the planned completion of the 28th August was missed. The revised completion date is 13th January 2021. The blocks are now shaping up nicely and will make a great place to live and study.
The College commissioned a public artwork piece to adorn the front of the building, an engraving depicting swifts in flight.

Reactive maintenance

This year, the team has logged 4,713 new maintenance job requests, with 4,797 completed and closed in the year. Student satisfaction was once again high, with 82% of students giving a score of 4 or 5 out of 5. 90% of students said that they found the maintenance staff friendly, and 88% of those who used the maintenance request website reported that it was easy to use.

COVID-19

During the height of lockdown, the Buildings Team’s main focus was to safely shut down buildings, maintain essential services, carry out water hygiene regimes, and provide an emergency service, with a rotating team of staff providing the urgent cover. The team returned to work fully in July and completed the planned summer works (which included refurbishment of the bathrooms/shower rooms in Ethelreda) along with adaptations for the new way of working.

Environment

Jo Costin led the NUS Green Impact submission this year, and although not all actions could be completed due to difficulties arising from the pandemic, we are delighted to announce that the College received a Gold Award for our efforts to operate more sustainably.

During the year, the Buildings Team has been reviewing more sustainable ways to renew the gas boilers in Memorial Court, and has employed consultants with green credentials to look at hybrid schemes using ground source heat pumps.
Deborah Hoy | Buildings Manager