W: www.universitybusiness.co.uk | T: @UB_UK


CAMPUS SERVICES | OPINION | 17


STUDENT ACCOMMODATION: A SEISMIC SHIFT


“Accommodation is one of the top three considerations for students when choosing a college or university so getting it wrong can be a costly failure.” James Badley, rg+p


ABOVE: James Badley, Director, rg+p RIGHT: rg+p's award-winning Western Road scheme


Student accommodation – once a domain of drab, cellular units that focused on quantity rather than quality – has developed into a thriving business sector that is modelling itself on the hotel market. Architect James Badley, of rg+p Ltd, discusses the growing trends for those behind the delivery of such schemes, the expectations of students for their living spaces and his vision for the future


Up until the late 1990s, requirements for student accommodation were largely based on the ‘housing by numbers’ approach, with a focus on functionality over aesthetics. Schemes were typified by their segregation into clusters, most commonly six-bed spaces around a central corridor. Now, with the advent of faster broadband, technology and connectivity, the way we imagine and design these spaces has dramatically evolved. Accommodation is one of the top three things


students consider when choosing a college or university, so geting it wrong can be a costly failure. Couple this with added commercial pressure to deliver these buildings to both a finite cost point and immoveable deadline and you see why accuracy and understanding are crucial. Modern student living has shifted to take inspiration from hotels; offering smaller, upmarket studio spaces that are pastoral and practical. A significant emphasis has been placed on interaction and creating a ‘family’ environment. The inclusion of eateries, delis, gyms, TV rooms and quiet study areas are all commonplace in today’s designs and sit alongside the expectations of safety, security, a high standard of fixtures and furnishings, and fully functioning broadband, the later being a necessity since the growth of social media. This shift has impacted how we, as construction


professionals, deliver these developments. With a typical scheme offering approximately 300 bed spaces, we must look at efficiencies – how can we create vibrant places to live and learn whilst being mindful of the fact these buildings must be completed in time for the start of the academic year to avoid missing a year’s worth of


income? Imaginative design solutions provide the starting point, minimising the footprint to enable fast track delivery using modern methods of construction. For example, on our flagship scheme at Western


Road, Leicester, we were tasked to provide a student village that would integrate a Victorian listed building and allow for ergonomic and spacious living. Using BIM (Building Information Modelling) technology and 3D flythroughs, we were able to demonstrate not only how the proposed scheme would provide maximum density whilst being sympathetic to its surrounds but also specific room layouts, including a level of detail showing where plug sockets would be situated to ensure smartphones or tablets could be charged by the bed at night. Another consideration is location and the ongoing


debate between on- and off-campus. Both have their restrictions, the former in terms of available space and how it dovetails directly with teaching; the later with proximity, travel and the perceived socioeconomic problems a large volume of students would mean for an area. The right environment, conducive to learning, ultimately depends on students. What cultural sensitivities should be considered? What impact does course choice have on living arrangements? For example, on the £7m scheme at Moulton Agricultural College in Northamptonshire where rg+p London is acting as design development architect, the on-campus accommodation has been deliberately designed to be domestic in scale and environmentally sympathetic to ensure students have the best possible chance for academic success. Fundamentally, the success of any student


accommodation is not measured by a building’s eco-credentials or its ability to be easily maintained, rather by the individual’s overall experience. We strive to create environments that incorporate flexible, efficient and innovative designs without compromising on quality to ensure the best possible opportunities for future generations. UB


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80  |  Page 81  |  Page 82