The building design focuses upon relationships between surrounding structures, the physical constraints of the site itself as well as links within the university grounds, whilst maintaining the ATI buildings visual axis with the Cathedral. The building creates a “gateway” to the University in conjunction with the new neighbouring ATI building, both in scale and form. The form of the building is lower than the adjacent ATI building, being screened by trees and an established hedge, when viewed from the southwest.

The new student residences draw strong visual references from the ATI building opposite by using lightly reflective green glazing within metallic silver framed curtain walling and cornices on the northern façade. The main entrance is punctuated with cobalt blue monolithic rendered masonry walls. Complimentary coloured render walls visually terminate the north façade glazing at the east and west prospects.

The east and west facades are further articulated with linear windows, giving the building an expressed aesthetic. The south facing courtyard elevations are in a light grey render, with metallic silver window frames and clear glass. A high standard landscaping scheme continues the University’s established desire to enhance the mature parkland setting of the location.

The new building is located on a site for development close to the western entrance of the University. The building use is allocated for student residential accommodation providing 258 study bedrooms and a warden’s flat, but is capable of long term adaptation for academic use. Cycle parking for 35 bicycles, together with operational parking is provided at the eastern end of the site, including two disabled parking spaces which are adjacent to the special needs entrance. Vehicle set-down bays are provided on the spine road frontage for limited use at the beginning and end of the term. Refuse compounds are sited at either end of the building.

Launch Case Study for International House (PDF)