UEA Crome Court
This 232-bedroom student residences building forms a south-facing U-shape. Constructed in CLT to an exacting programme (brief to opening in 24 months), the project achieved BREEAM Excellent, by incorporating many carbon-reducing measures, and a vertical greenwall, to offset loss of landscape.
UEA required new accommodation to support the growth in student numbers at the university and maintain its identity as a campus university. As well as providing new residential capacity the building also accommodates accessible bedroom and kitchen-diner facilities for students, studio flats for senior residents and a flexible social space.
Situated adjacent to existing residence buildings, Crome Court creates a focal point at the end of the campus. The building varies between 5 and 7 storeys in height, and is laid out in a U-shaped configuration and oriented to make best use of the limited space available.
The project was the first on the UEA’s estate to implement BIM Level 2 with a specific focus on delivering a complete 6D Asset Information Model.

Client testimonial
We found a sweet spot where the life cycle costing and the capital cost of those materials were in line with each other. Our U value targets became secondary to finding what actually the best value for the building was. We estimated that in one afternoon around the table we saved £750,000…a good afternoon’s work!
MARTIN LOVATT ESTATES PROJECT MANAGER, UEA
We were very happy to be able to work on this exciting project and be a part of the first BIM Level 2 project in the East of England.
ANDY BOUTLE BIM MANAGER, KIER
There is no doubt that the innovation and design of Crome Court has made a significant contribution to the character and appearance of this section of the campus and the surrounding area.
MARTIN LOVATT ESTATES PROJECT MANAGER, UEA