Delivering Sustainability and Style: TECHNAL Powers Brighton's Pavillion Point Student Accommodation

In the heart of Brighton, just a short walk from the University of Brighton's main campus, Pavillion Point stands as a striking example of how thoughtful design, sustainability, and modern student living can come together. This purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) on London Road, developed with community needs and future performance in mind, offers 232 rooms and a suite of premium amenities designed to enhance student life.

The five-storey development, managed by student accommodation specialists Fresh, includes dedicated study and social spaces, a gym, multimedia area, cafe, landscaped courtyard, and retail units at ground level. More than a building, Pavillion Point is a dynamic space that reflects the evolving expectations of the modern student experience.

But behind the facade lies a powerful story of sustainable thinking, cutting-edge facade systems, and high-performance engineering. At the core of this is TECHNAL.

Designed for Performance

Pavillion Point was designed by Corstorphone & Wright with sustainability and occupant comfort firmly in focus. The design team set an ambitious goal, to achieve a BREEAM "Excellent" rating while delivering a visually engaging, acoustically robust, and thermally efficient building envelope.

This ambition demanded a considered approach to material specification, system integration, and facade performance. The solution? TECHNAL's proven suite of high-performance aluminium systems, designed to not only meet architectural aspirations but also to push the limits of environmental responsibility.

A Safe, Stylish, and Resilient Facade

Externally, Pavillion Point is defined by its layered facade design. The first three floors are clad in a warm clay brick slip system, offering a tactile, grounded appearance that complements the surrounding architecture. Above, the set-back fourth floor features contemporary grey rainscreen cladding, providing visual contrast and articulating the upper storeys with a lighter, more refined touch.

Natural light is a defining feature of Pavillion Point's student rooms. Large floor to ceiling windows were specified throughout to bring in generous amounts of daylight, support well-being, and reduce reliance on artificial lighting.

To make this possible, TECHNAL Tilt Before Turn windows were installed above fixed glazed panels, forming a striking vertical rhythm across the building's elevations. This window configuration wasn't chosen solely for aesthetic impact. It also provides secure, practical ventilation while meeting high standards for thermal and acoustic insulation.

The inward tilting function of the aluminium windows ensures safe airflow for students, while the turn option - operable only with a key - allows for safe and simple cleaning from inside the room. It's a detail that matters, especially in multi-storey settings where window access can be a challenge.

Exceeding Thermal and Acoustic Expectations

One of the project's most challenging requirements was the need to deliver exceptional thermal and air tightness performance. In the case of the curtain walling, the target U-value was 1.4W/m² - a performance threshold that not all systems on the market could meet at the time.

TECHNAL's facade did more than just meet this benchmark, it surpassed it and helped the project to maintain internal temperatures more efficiently and contributes to reduced operational energy use. Combined with the superior sealing and insulation characteristics of the TECHNAL windows and doors, the facade as a whole became a high-performance envelope capable of withstanding coastal conditions while supporting long-term energy efficiency.

Acoustic performance was also important to this project. Located in a vibrant part of Brighton, Pavillion Point needed to shield students from street noise while maintaining internal comfort. TECHNAL's aluminium building systems, paired with high-spec glazing, helped deliver the calm and quiet students need to study, sleep, and thrive.

Let's Shape the Future of Student Living

From design and material choice to execution and performance, TECHNAL is proud to have played a role in the Pavillion Point project. As the needs of students, cities, and the planet continue to evolve, we remain committed to pushing the boundaries of sustainable design through innovative, circular-ready aluminium windows, doors, and curtain walling.