Design-led student accommodation breathes new life into UK university cityscapes
- Student accommodation sector now worth in excess of £20bn (AMA Research)
- Collegiate AC’s Gateway Apartments in Edinburgh win RICS Residential Award 2014
- Gateway Apartments are ‘a stark contrast from the site’s former use’ through juxtaposition of old and new architecture (Susan Stephen Architects)
For the majority of people, the term ‘student housing’ will conjure images of damp, overcrowded buildings in a less than picturesque setting. However, in recent years this infamous vision of student ‘digs’ of old has been gradually abandoned as luxury new build, design-led accommodation has caused the evolution of the student housing market, making choosing a property a lifestyle choice for both current and prospective students.
Modern, innovative buildings with all the latest technologies and trends built in as standard are now an almost irresistible option and as the student accommodation landscape expands and transforms, so too does the university cityscape to allow for this 21st century experience.
The most recent ‘Higher Education and Student Accommodation Construction Sector Report – UK 2014-2018’ from AMA Research, highlights that the student accommodation sector is now worth in excess of £20bn. With investment in the sector continuing to expand and develop, the report focuses on purpose built student accommodation (PBSA) and the shifting imbalance between supply and demand figures.
New properties are being erected throughout the UK as a reactive solution to this exacerbating problem, however, not only is there increasing demand for readily available accommodation, there is also demand for that accommodation to fit within the emerging student lifestyle that requires a more design-led approach.
Unique external facades of more recent student accommodation are modernising university city landscapes, whilst ensuring that the properties blend cohesively amidst their often traditional locations. This could be seen to be a microcosm of the new student lifestyle, with the contemporary take on university life having not totally abandoned the established conventions of its roots.
A company at the forefront of innovative design for luxury student properties is Collegiate AC. Their newest edition to the Edinburgh skyline, Gateway Apartments, was the winner of the prestigious RICS Scotland Residential Award in 2014, a showcase of the most inspirational regional developments in land, property, construction and the environment throughout the UK.
Gordon Beaton, Design Director for Susan Stephen Architects who led the project, explains the effect of the building’s exterior on the city landscape,
“Many design options were discussed with planning in order to ensure an appropriate yet contemporary design which sits sympathetically within its surroundings. Natural stone was used on the main facade to complement the tenements with a beige brick however, the courtyard uses white facing brick and lightweight glass staircases to create a bright open space.
“The use of white bricks in a coordinated landscaped setting has created a bright and peaceful sanctuary from the city – a stark contrast from its overdeveloped former use.”
This design choice has made an impression on the city landscape, emphasising the juxtaposition between Edinburgh’s old and new. The disparity between Gateway Apartments and the development that was there initially illustrates the influence that student accommodation is having on university towns and cities across the UK. New build projects designed for students are breathing new life into areas of a city which may have become worn or forgotten, enhancing the complete landscape.
Heriberto Cuanalo, CEO of Collegiate AC explains the need for new purpose built student accommodation and the importance of its design on the city within which it sits,
“The revolutionary designs now being used for new build student properties are not only changing the overall student experience, but also the physical landscape which is housing these additional structures. New build student accommodation alleviates the pressure felt by university towns and cities to manage the ever increasing undergraduate applications, as well as altering the landscape in keeping with the new student population’s demands and expectations.”
Gateway Apartments are set in a peaceful and elegant enclave, within walking distance of all the main colleges and university campuses. These student apartments are well served with a variety of retail outlets creating an almost ‘village’ feel about the area, whilst offering easy access to transport links and central Edinburgh. These high-specification and beautifully designed student apartments are equipped with contemporary high-gloss kitchens, individual en-suite facilities, flat-screen TVs, double beds and ample study and storage space.
As part of the innovative design, amazing on-site facilities include a private gym, common room, in-house cinema, laundry room and spacious study rooms combined with high-speed broadband and Wi-Fi throughout the building. To add to the student experience offered by Gateway Apartments, the building has secure electronic access, CCTV, on-site management and a concierge team with a 24-hour helpline.
For more information, visit www.collegiate-ac.com or contact Collegiate AC on 01235 250 140.