Mithras Halls, University of Brighton
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ECE Architecture
Transforming Brighton’s skyline with five landmark towers, delivering technical excellence to create a new gateway to the city and a modern student living experience.
Appointed at RIBA Stage 3, ECE Architecture provided crucial technical expertise to Uliving and Bouygues UK for this project. Our team delivered the technical architecture throughout the tender process, supporting the successful bid with robust design solutions and regulatory compliance assessment.
Tower 2 stands as the crowning achievement within this five-tower development, featuring a meticulously crafted exterior that harmonises with the surrounding South Downs landscape.
Our technical team hand-positioned over 45,000 multi-coloured tiles to create a distinctive façade that captures the natural palette of the Downs. This level of detail blended architectural ambition with practical delivery, creating a structure that’s both visually striking and technically sound
The project presented significant technical challenges, particularly with the chamfered design elements on the upper storeys. When Building Regulations changed mid-project following the Grenfell Tower tragedy, our team conducted extensive material investigations to ensure compliance.
The chamfer angles required precise technical evaluation to determine whether they should be classified as walls or roofs under these revised regulations – a critical distinction affecting material specifications and safety requirements. Our technical expertise enabled us to resolve these complexities without compromising the design intent.
Beyond fire safety, the chamfered elements presented additional technical hurdles regarding rainwater management. The original planning submission contained limited information on water discharge, requiring our team to develop comprehensive solutions for safe collection and discharge systems.
We also addressed the associated cleaning and maintenance challenges, integrating practical serviceability into the architectural vision.
The completed Mithras Halls now provide 804 modern student bedrooms across 8-18 storeys, constructed to BREEAM Excellent standards. This landmark development has transformed Brighton’s Lewes Road, creating an inspiring gateway to the city while ensuring the University can guarantee accommodation for all first-year students – a powerful demonstration of architecture that delivers enduring value for our clients and communities.
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