Tŷ Pont Haearn facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Tŷ Pont Haearn |
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Tŷ Pont Haearn
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| General information | |
| Type | Residential |
| Location | Cardiff, Wales |
| Address | Pellett Street, Cardiff city centre |
| Coordinates | 51°28′40″N 3°10′13″W / 51.4778°N 3.1702°W |
| Current tenants | Liberty Living NCP |
| Construction started | March 2004 |
| Completed | September 2005 |
| Cost | £19.7 million |
| Client | UNITE Group |
| Owner | Liberty Living |
| Height | 63 metres |
| Technical details | |
| Floor count | 21 |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Wigley Fox Partnership |
| Civil engineer | Faber Maunsell |
| Other designers | Baris |
| Main contractor | Carillion |
Tŷ Pont Haearn, which means 'Iron Bridge House' in English, is a tall building in Cardiff, Wales. It is one of the tallest buildings in the city! People also call it "Liberty Bridge." This building has 21 floors. Most of it (17 floors) is made up of 144 apartments for students. Below those floors, there is a four-storey car park for cars.
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Building Tŷ Pont Haearn
The idea for Tŷ Pont Haearn came about in 2003. Work on building it started in 2004. The whole project was finished in September 2005.
Where it was Built
The land where Tŷ Pont Haearn stands used to be a cold storage building. This old building was taken down, and its basement became part of the new building's foundation. The construction company, Carillion, had to do a lot of work on the ground first.
Building here was tricky because the site was in the middle of the city. It was a small, triangular piece of land. Two sides of the site were right next to busy railway lines. Also, the only way to get materials in was through a very narrow street called Pellett Street.
How it was Built
The building has a strong foundation with piles driven deep into the ground. Builders used traditional methods to construct it. Even though some buildings are made from pre-made parts, this was not possible here. The small space made it too difficult.
The building's design repeats on each floor. This meant the construction team got better and faster as they built higher. They became very efficient at their work.
Inside Walls
During construction, a company called Baris installed special wall panels. They put in 50,000 square metres of plasterboard. Most of the walls inside Tŷ Pont Haearn have special sound-reducing panels. These panels help keep noise down between the rooms. They also used special panels in wet areas like bathrooms. These panels protect against moisture.
Ready for Students
The building was finished right on time. This was very important because it meant students could move in before the new school year began. The building was officially handed over on a Friday night. Students started moving in on Saturday, which was even earlier than planned!
Student Living at Tŷ Pont Haearn
Tŷ Pont Haearn is owned by Liberty Living. It provides homes for 642 students. There are 144 apartments in total. Each apartment has a shared kitchen.
Rooms and Facilities
Student bedrooms are usually in groups of three, four, five, or six. There are also some larger, premium rooms. Most students (629) live in single study bedrooms. Another 14 students live in studio apartments.
Every room has its own shower, toilet, and sink. There are also special plugs for fast internet access. All students share a fully equipped kitchen and a living area in their apartment.
Safety and Services
Tŷ Pont Haearn has a team that works on-site. They manage the building and take care of any repairs. There is also 24-hour security. This includes CCTV cameras, electronic entry systems, and a manned reception desk all day and night.
The building is also designed to be accessible for wheelchairs. It has a common living area where students can relax and use the internet. There are vending machines for snacks and drinks. Students can also use the laundry room and store their bikes safely.
Location of Tŷ Pont Haearn
Tŷ Pont Haearn is in a great spot for students. It is very close to big universities like Cardiff University and Cardiff Metropolitan University. The building is on Pellett Street, right in the heart of the city centre. It is also near Cardiff Central railway station and the Cardiff International Arena.
It is easy to get to Tŷ Pont Haearn from the M4 motorway. Many students from Atrium choose to live here because it is directly across the street from their college. About 350 rooms are set aside just for Atrium students, and 179 for UWIC students.
