A £13m construction project to improve living conditions for soldiers at Imjin Barracks has reached a key milestone, following the arrival onsite of the first modules for new Single Living Accommodation (SLA).
The major infrastructure works at the Gloucestershire barracks are due for completion this summer and will provide 69 new single en-suite bedspaces, along with communal living and kitchen/diner facilities.
The project is being delivered by the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) on behalf of the British Army, contracting to off-site construction specialist Reds10 and Design and engineering consultants Arcadis.
Photo: Interior of new Single Living Accommodation at Imjin Barracks (MOD/Crown Copyright)
At the module landing event, Brigadier Richard Brown, the Army’s Head of Infrastructure Plans, said: “This is a significant milestone in building new Single Living Accommodation at Imjin Barracks, the first of over a hundred new SLA blocks due to be delivered across the Army estate. It’s great to see the progress being made here which will enhance the communal living experience for our people.
“The improvements underway at this site represent the ongoing and increasing investment right across the Army estate, to deliver the modern, sustainable facilities that soldiers need and deserve, and to enhance the environments in which they live, work and train.”
Modular by design, the new SLA block is manufactured off-site and features a high-spec interior fit-out, central break-out spaces and increased natural daylight into rooms. The building will use SMART building technology to react to external and internal elements to reduce energy consumption. It has achieved an ‘Excellent’ rating under the Defence Related Environmental Assessment Methodology (DREAM).
Warren Webster, Defence Infrastructure Organisation, MPP Programme Director, Army, said: “I am extremely proud of the team. We signed the construction contract with Reds10 twelve months ago and to be landing the first modules on site this week, with the whole project on track for completion this August, is just incredible. It not only demonstrates DIO’s commitment to providing quality accommodation to Service personnel, but also shows the significant benefits of permanent module off-site construction both in terms of speed of delivery and ability to meet demanding carbon net zero targets.”
This is the first of a number of projects that will follow this proven delivery model.
Paul Ruddick, Chairman of Reds10, said: “The SLA at Imjin Barracks is real, tangible proof of concept for Modern Methods of Construction (MMC). It shows, in practical terms, how MMC can deliver a high quality, fit for purpose product at speed. We are extremely proud to be working with the British Army, DIO, Arcadis, HLM Architects and everyone else involved in this project, it’s a true team effort.”
Steve Dixon, Arcadis Defence Sector Lead, said: “Arcadis are extremely proud to play a critical part in the delivery of the very first Single Living Accommodation net zero development in collaboration with the Defence Infrastructure Organisation and Reds10. We are delighted that the team have reached this significant milestone, bringing us closer to creating what is a step change to the lived experience for the soldiers at Imjin Barracks.”
Imjin Barracks is the first site to benefit under the Army’s Single Living Accommodation Programme, which is investing £1.2bn and delivering 8,500 SLA bedspaces over 10 years. In addition to this, 8,000 SLA bedspaces are being delivered by the Defence Estate Optimisation (DEO) Army Programme through new build SLA blocks and refurbishing works, bringing the combined total of SLA bedspaces being delivered over 10 years to 16,500.
