Final Terrapin accommodation module for barracks

Ceremony held at the army's Colchester Garrison in June to watch the lifting in of the final living module built by Terrapin.

In total 3,034 Terrapin designed modules, mainly fitted out en-suite bedrooms, have now been installed in what is a GBP2bn 35-year, through-life PFI scheme to develop and service the garrison.

Development of the 185 hectare site will have taken in the region of four years when the last of the new buildings is commissioned.

Approximately two thirds of the factory-built modules now make up 25 three storey buildings which will create accommodation for 1,700 junior ranks.

A further 375 en-suite facilities will provide accommodation for officers and SNCOs (Senior Non-Commissioned Officers) in two large mess buildings.

Leading off-site construction company Terrapin has worked as sub-contractor with Design and Build contractor Sir Robert McAlpine to see development, manufacturing and installation of the modules ahead of schedule.

The modules are constructed from a rigid light steel frame, fitted out to provide individual bedrooms with en-suite GRP shower rooms, carpets, and curtains, or fully manufactured for utility and pre-fitted plant rooms, cleaners' facilities, visitors room and communal areas.

There is also a four man dormitory in each JRSLA (Junior Ranks Single Living Accommodation) block.

A typical accommodation module is approximately 15m when fabricated ready for transporting to site.

Just over half of the modules were constructed at Terrapin's 10.5 hectare production site at Milton Keynes, the others were built by licensed contractor Britspace in East Yorkshire.

Terrapin Group Chairman, Mr Billy Orr commented that the particular requirements of the army had been a challenge in the early development stages with army sergeants 'jump' testing the robustness of prototype units, which passed with 'flying colours'.

Mr Orr also noted that in designing a 'Travel style' hotel it is reasonable to assume that guests will use bathrooms at different times, whereas the service in a garrison block must cope with the demands of 69 soldiers showering simultaneously at reveille or after an exercise.

The final few months of the contract are for connecting and testing services then finishing off internal corridor areas.

Terrapin is a privately owned company which has been expanding the potential of modern methods of off-site construction since 1949.

It grew with the development of modular classroom buildings throughout the baby boom and is now a leader in factory assembled modular buildings such as hotels, prisons, hospitals, schools and apartments.

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