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ENGIE’s services-led activity arm, EQUANS, has been appointed to deliver a major £140 million post-graduate student accommodation project for the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE).
The contract, which covers the design, build, operational services and maintenance of the scheme, will see EQUANS demolish an existing warehouse on Glengall Road, Southwark, before delivering a student accommodation scheme for LSE. This will be followed by a 50-year facilities management and lifecycle contract.
The new 15-storey halls of residence will provide 676 new energy efficient student bed spaces, with additional facilities, including a new gym, external courtyards, roof terraces, shared kitchens, a cinema room, laundry room, amenity space and staff offices.
Following construction, EQUANS will be responsible for the hard and soft FM and lifecycle management of the halls of residence – from furnishings, through to infrastructure replacement, including electrical wiring, shower facilities and lifts. EQUANS will also be responsible for providing high speed WiFi and IT services throughout the accommodation.
EQUANS will provide energy management and monitoring across the sites, as well as optimising levels of energy efficiency within the buildings. EQUANS will be incorporating several smart building technologies, to maximise energy efficiency, drive down carbon emissions and reduce fuel bills. The combination of low-carbon solutions by EQUANS are together designed to achieve a ‘very good’ rating under BREEAM.
Colin Macpherson, Divisional CEO for EQUANS UK & Ireland, said: “LSE is one of the world’s leading institutions and we are delighted to be playing a key role in supporting their sustainability drive, while enhancing the university experience for students.
“We have a substantial portfolio of universities, which we are actively supporting to achieve their net zero carbon targets, and currently manage more than 10,000 student rooms across the UK , so LSE is fantastic addition.”
Work commenced on site this month and the accommodation will be ready for the September 2024 term start.
