The Rubik is a new student accommodation building in Southampton.
The proposed development is to replace the existing building on the site, formerly known as Firehouse, with a 12 storey student accommodation block known as The Rubik. The new building has a single storey basement and the structure consists of a reinforced concrete podium transfer structure at 1st floor to support modular steel framed studios above. There is double storey height undercroft below part of the building, where the RC podium transfer structure steps up to second floor level. The existing basement walls are retained on two sides with the basement slab to be removed and the basement depth increased. Piled foundations provide support the new building and retaining walls to the extended basement.
The superstructure is made up of a 2 storey RC frame, with a RC transfer slab on both the 1st and 2nd floor to support and transfer the loads of modules above. The module design comprises a steel frame which is designed by Fairhurst for specialist contractor My-Fab who provide steel fabrication drawings and detail design of connections
Stability is provided by a full height central concrete core. The stability core has in situ RC walls from basement to roof level with the modules connected to the core at each level. The core will be slip formed for speed of construction, allowing the modules to be installed as soon as the core is complete. The modules will be erected with a tower crane to be located on top of the slip formed core.
Fairhurst is able to provide a full structural and civil design service from concept through planning into construction. We are delivering both permanent works and temporary works design and are providing the structural design for the modular contractor as well.
Gateway 2 approval for this complex structure was achieved in 2025 following an extensive submission process with the BSR.
Building Safety Act (BSA) – Relevant Activities
- Identification and management of structural safety risks for an HRB.
- Development of fully compliant structural design including:
- Reinforced concrete (RC) podium and transfer slabs
- Stability core
- Design of modular unit steel frames
- Prevention of disproportionate collapse
- Submission and approval of required Gateway 2 structural report and
responses to detail queries raise by the BSR
Outcomes / Value
- Successful progression through planning & Gateway stages
- Full construction information issued prior to commencing work on site
- Strucutral design produced a building capable of being built as quickly as possible on site to meet programme timeline and scheduled completion date
Status
- Gateway 2 Approved – Dec 2025
- Construction Commenced – Jan 2026
Image courtesy of: Jefferson Sheard Architects
