Unite Stratford One Student Accommodation, London

Rooftop Terrace

In the early months of 2022 Unite Student Accommodation, London asked us to take a look at their 1-story tall rooftop terrace. Unlike any other project we’ve taken on before, Unite’s vision was to create a structure which would allow various types of vine-plants to ascend it, in time creating an oasis of greenery where students can relax and socialise.

Following the initial phone call, a site survey was arranged to take place over the next week where our Senior Draughtsman could meet with the company architect & project manager to discuss the particulars of the roof-top based site & note down the positions and sizes of the existing furniture & fittings.

Design & Installation

Working in close collaboration with the company architect we were able to create a lightweight, innovative, and stylish design by incorporating custom laser-cut perforated sheeting throughout the structure offering the plant life a great foundation to flourish.

The structure’s weight was of careful consideration to us, as the unit would need to be crane lifted from ground level up onto the terrace before being installed by our installation team. After returning this design to Unite they confirmed they were happy to proceed with us, and just 6 weeks later the parts were manufactured and the structure was in place.

Conclusion

Throughout our planning process, we carefully considered various factors to minimize any potential disruptions. One key concern was ensuring that the existing facilities, such as the pre-installed seating and planted areas, remained easily accessible and unobstructed from view. We also paid close attention to the weight of the structure, aiming to have the unit crane-lifted onto the terrace. By addressing these considerations, we aimed to create a solution that not only had the project completed in a timely & effective manner, but also enhances the social use of the terrace for the end users.