Client: UNITE The UNITE student accommodation at Kelham Island, Sheffield, is a large-scale redevelopment project that transformed a former industrial site into 820 modern student bedrooms. Located near the River Don and Sheffield Inner Relief Road, the project required careful integration with the area's historical significance while meeting the demands of contemporary urban living. The accommodation comprises five to seven-storey buildings constructed with a steel podium and modular units, offering students high-quality living spaces close to the city centre. The design reflects the industrial heritage of Kelham Island while incorporating modern amenities and sustainable features. Services we provided Civil & Infrastructure Engineering Building Surveying Ground Investigation & Land Quality Structural Engineering Transport Planning & Traffic Engineering Water Engineering & Flood Risk Our Role BWB was appointed as the Civil and Structural Engineer for the redevelopment of Kelham Island, providing a range of services including structural engineering, drainage, civil engineering, transport planning, earthworks, foundation design, and topographical surveys. Our team conducted detailed site investigations to understand the specific ground conditions and existing infrastructure challenges. Foundation design Our engineering team designed the foundation and superstructure solutions to accommodate the site’s constraints, including CFA piles and reinforced pile caps/ground beams to support the new building. Retaining structures were implemented to create a basement car park extending under the entire footprint of the building. Extensive coordination The project required extensive coordination with the Environment Agency, British Waterways, and the Local Authority Highways Department to gain approvals for the site’s redevelopment. Our civil engineers developed a robust drainage strategy to manage surface water runoff and reduce flood risks, working closely with the Environment Agency to address concerns related to the River Don and the culverted watercourse. Developing solutions The Kelham Island site presented numerous challenges, including the proximity of the River Don, the culverted watercourse, and its location adjacent to a major road. Detailed discussions and coordination with statutory bodies were essential to developing solutions that met regulatory requirements. Our collaborative approach and technical expertise enabled us to navigate these constraints and deliver a design that balanced safety, functionality, and cost-efficiency.