Vita Coventry – Offsite Drywall for Student Accommodation

Client / Main Contractor: Bowmer & Kirkland
Location:Coventry, UK
Project Type: High-rise student accommodation fit-out
Product Specification: British Gypsum (Glasroc & Duraline)
Contract Value: £3 million
Programme Duration: 59 weeks

The Challenge

The Vita Coventry project involved the complete fit-out of a major high-rise student residence. With over 800 student units to complete, the main contractor faced three key challenges:

1. Programme pressure

A 59-week schedule with no room for delays.

2. Waste reduction targets

Minimising plasterboard waste on site.

3. Compliance and safety

Ensuring fire-rated and acoustically compliant details.

Traditional drywall installation methods, with on-site cutting and manual handling, risked delays, dust, and inefficiency.

The Drywall Pro-Cut Solution

Drywall Pro-Cut supplied a full package of offsite manufactured drywall components, delivered floor by floor and labelled for easy installation.

Components Supplied

6,534 lm of Fire-Rated Deflection Heads (30mm Glasroc).
816 Builders Work Openings (15mm Duraline).
847 Door Set Drywall Linings.

Each element was precision cut and batched offsite, eliminating the need for on-site cutting, reducing dust, and saving valuable install time.

Measurable Outcomes

Component	Quantity	Labour Hours Saved	Labour Days Saved	Waste Prevented (m²)	Waste Prevented (kg)
Deflection Heads	6,534 lm	408	51	11.23	268
Builders Work Openings	816 No.	510	64	9.56	134.88
Door Sets	847 No.	72	9	–	–
Totals	–	990	124	20.79	402.88

Key Results:

124 days saved across the programme.
402kg of plasterboard waste prevented.
Cleaner, safer site with reduced dust and manual handling.
Compliance assured with fire-rated Glasroc and acoustic Duraline boards.

Benefits for Student Accommodation Projects

1. Time Savings

Offsite production delivered ready-to-install components, ensuring programme certainty.

2. Health & Safety

Less cutting, less dust, and fewer tools on site reduced risk for operatives.

3. Sustainability

Over 400kg of plasterboard waste avoided, supporting BREEAM and LEED targets.

4. Quality Assurance

Precision cutting ensured every component met specification, improving inspection outcomes.

Drywall Pro-Cut’s offsite solutions allowed us to maintain programme speed without compromising on safety or quality.
The phased deliveries and labelled components made the install seamless.

Bowmer & Kirkland

Project Manager

FAQs

How much time did offsite drywall save at Vita Coventry?

A total of 124 working days were saved by using offsite pre-cut deflection heads, openings, and door sets.

Is this approach scalable for other high-rise projects?

Yes. The offsite process is ideal for multi-storey residential and commercial schemes, with components batched floor by floor.

What compliance standards were met?

All deflection heads and openings were manufactured using British Gypsum Glasroc and Duraline, fully fire-rated and acoustically tested.

How does this help sustainability targets?

By cutting at source, the project avoided over 400kg of waste and supported BREEAM/LEED compliance.

Can Drywall Pro-Cut deliver nationally?

Yes. Our logistics network supports phased, sequenced deliveries across the UK.

Related Case Studies

Medius - Regeneration Project, Birmingham

Coventry University FAH Redevelopment

Equipoint - Office to Residential Conversion

Planning a student accommodation or high-rise residential project?

Speak to Drywall Pro-Cut today and discover how our offsite drywall solutions can save time, cut waste, and ensure compliance.

Call: 01827 213201 | Email: enquiries@drywallpro-cut.co.uk

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