Project: University of Portsmouth Library

Group Company: SSH Cleaning

Location: Portsmouth

Total Value: £3 million

Project Start: August 2014

Works Duration: 3 weeks

Description: SSH worked with Overbury & the University of Portsmouth to create a quality library environment that facilitated student learning. The project had to be delivered and handed over before over 300 students started a new academic year.

The project involved the refurbishment of the ground floor of the library, a social learning zone and a group study zone all merging into one continuous area.

The University invested in the building, which saw a complete refurbishment and remodelling of the ground floor of the Library. This project reflects feedback received through the National Student Survey (NSS) and other surveys, which saw the University add over 200 study spaces, many of which included computers, an increase in the size of the café and a shared service point on the ground floor for library and IT queries.

Additionally, a greater range of social learning space has been provided and an increase in the number of bookable group study rooms.

A new fully equipped cafe was installed with feature ceiling and lighting. On the first floor balcony, new joinery units were constructed housing A/C units and within the group study area, modern air conditioning and acoustic cladding were installed.

SSH Cleaning were trusted to carry out the full handover clean to the complete area. This included the main library area, welfare facilities and also the high level yellow struts which formed part of the ceiling. MEWP access was required, and fully trained SSH MEWP operatives were provided to ensure all works were carried out safely and efficiently.

SSH also carried out the internal and external window cleaning to the complete building.

A plan of the new space can be found here: http://www.port.ac.uk/library/about/archive/2014/refurb/filetodownload,184863,en.pdf 

The project was handed over in time for the students to enjoy the new facilities.

Brilliant feedback was given from Overbury staff, who thanked all SSH operatives for their work through-out the project.