PROJECT SPOTLIGHT: Vita Student, Portland Crescent Leeds
Specified by: Fuse Studios
Project Overview
Vita Student is a student accommodation provider that offers high specification apartments with an array of on-site facilities and an emphasis on quality. The company’s added-value approach to the student living experience is reflected in the specification for its developments and the Portland Crescent project in Leeds was specified with Shackerley’s SureClad® Quarried Stone system to reflect the calibre of the location and the development.
The 16-storey development provides 312 studios, along with a gym, study area, coffee lounge and laundry. Located within walking distance of both Leeds University and Leeds Beckett University, the project sets the bar for luxury student accommodation and is Vita’s second student residence in Leeds.
Design Requirements
The project initially commenced as a hotel development, and the concrete shell originally constructed as a hotel was granted planning permission for change of use to luxury student accommodation. The planning requirements included stipulations on the use of natural stone for the facade due to the project’s location in the ‘Arena Quarter’, close to the historic Leeds Civic Hall and Leeds City Museum. Shackerley was able to provide SureClad® Quarried Limestone panels in a honed off-white colourway, which complements the materiality of Leeds Civic Hall.
To ensure that the facade specification was as cost-effective as possible, Shackerley worked closely with the architect and the cladding installer to enable production of the facade panels in standard SureClad® sizes, while delivering the design intent of the facade installation.
Materials Used
Shackerley’s SureClad® Quarried Stone system was installed at Vita Student Living Portland Crescent using the Queen’s Award-winning SureClad® Access system.
A total of 3924m2 of SureClad® Quarried Limestone in a honed off-white colourway was used for three facade elevations in four standard panel sizes: 1200x267mm, 1010x522mm, 1110x522mm and 1186x522mm. In addition, a further 125m2 of honed SureClad® Quarried Granite in black were installed at ground level. All panels were just 20mm thick, providing a facade solution that offers a traditional aesthetic with lightweight buildability.
