Graduating in construction

University Hall's modular units are constructed in Matamata and placed by crane. Photo / Supplied

The first student accommodation developed by Auckland University since 1989 is rising on the Grafton campus.

Senior communications adviser Bill Williams said the 12-level O'Rorke Hall was the last block developed and owned by the university. But now the 468-room University Hall is rising on Whitaker Place to satisfy demand at the university which has 38,500 students.

The tower, being built by Hawkins Construction, is made up of modular units.

The university said this was the country's largest modular high-rise tower and the construction technique was unusual here. The hall is due to be finished in six months. The block will boost the university's fully-catered student accommodation supply by more than 60 per cent. It is scheduled to open next year.

Peter Fehl, university property services director, said the modular construction technique had worked well.

"There are not a lot of modular buildings in New Zealand and certainly nothing on this scale. The building is faster, safer, and easier than conventional methods. Fewer workers are needed on site but it is cheaper with better quality control."

The block will have 429 single bedrooms, 13 study pods and 13 double bedrooms for residential assistants.

The prefabricated timber room pods sit within a steel and concrete framework.

The modules were made by Stanley Group in Matamata. They arrive at the Grafton site painted, fitted out with windows, doors, carpets and wooden furniture, prepared for electricity and computer links and shrink-wrapped.

Since January they have gradually been shifted to Auckland on truck and trailer units, lifted on to concrete floors by crane and stacked vertically three high between each concrete floor. Suspended timber floors have been built to connect all the rooms to corridors, bathrooms and lifts. A giant 50m freestanding crane - the tallest of its kind in Australasia - was used to hoist each module into position. Lately modules have been inserted in the building at the rate of nine a day. About 429 of the bedrooms are 12.5sq m and there are 13 larger bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms. Each of the 13 student accommodation floors has a central common room, study room, kitchenette and shared bathrooms.

University Hall will be clad with ceramic tiles and there will be outdoor facilities on two levels with an outdoor recreation court nearby.