Planning Submitted for Polden Corner, University of Bath

2nd June 2016
Planning Submitted for Polden Corner, University of Bath

Stride Treglown has submitted a planning application for a 293 bed student accommodation scheme for the University of Bath’s Claverton Down campus, providing additional purpose-built student accommodation for post-graduate students.

The development supports the University’s aim to establish itself as an international centre of excellence in innovative graduate education. It is part of a wider strategy which will strengthen Bath’s research base and continue to enhance the quality of the student experience it offers.

The design focuses on how the student living and studying experience complement each other, with accommodation provided across two buildings. Fountains, reflection pools, an external stair and feature lighting create an enhanced public realm that links the landscaped courtyard, student residences, homezone, and neighbouring academic buildings together.

polden corner bath

The proposed layout began with the design of the study bedroom, with large desks, big windows to maximise natural light and plenty of storage to enable students to study in a comfortable environment. This has resulted in a large study bedroom of approximately 16.75m² compared to the standard 13m², or a compact ensuite designed for the Quads at 10m².

The bedrooms are organised into groups of 8 to form a cluster flat. Each cluster has access to a shared kitchen/dining space, but also has access to a separate shared lounge; a concept that has been developed following the success of the Quads in 2014. Each lounge is shared between a maximum of 16 students and has a defined social and
group study space.

In addition to living accommodation, the scheme will provide a gym, a shared landscaped courtyard, a larger communal lounge and meeting suites as extra study space for group working. These additional facilities are on the prominent south-east corner of the scheme, creating a strong connection between living and academic facilities located diagonally opposite the site, the newly completed 10West.

As part of the wider aspiration to improve the arrival aesthetic across the western end of the campus, a homezone has been designed to allow for better connectivity between the student residences and neighbouring academic buildings. The homezone will remove the vehicle focus at this end of the campus and force motorists to become more aware of the surroundings and pedestrian movement.

A neutral palette of materials including stone cladding is proposed that complement the external finishes used elsewhere within the University campus and has been informed by the recommendations of the landscape visual assessment.

Perforated metal cladding panels to the cores, reveals and lower ground floor create a contrast of textures to the facade and allows dappled light within the interior spaces. This theme is carried through to the landscape design where rock filled gabion baskets form retaining walls across the site.

Landscape Concept Plan
Landscape Concept Plan

Utilising the natural slope of the site, the lower ground floor incorporates ancillary plant rooms, car parking, cycle storage, drying rooms and bin stores with the main accommodation sat above.

In developing the brief for the Universities requirements, we have been engaged in key stakeholder meetings with both students, key members of the Estates Team, as well as BaNES. These meetings have been essential in identifying ‘lessons learnt’ from recent developments on campus with a view to incorporating key University requirements as well as what the students want to see from their accommodation.

The linear nature of the site has informed the footprint of the proposed scheme that follows the roads to the south (Quarry Road) and east of the site (North service road).

The proposed buildings range from 4 storeys at the north end of the site adjacent to Polden Court to 7 storeys at the Quarry Road junction, taking advantage of the natural slope in the site from north to south. The new 10W to the south has been used as an overall benchmark for the maximum height we can develop on this site.

Client – University of Bath
Project Manager – JLL
Architect – Stride Treglown
Structural Engineer – Mann Williams
Mechanical and Electrical Engineer – MEP Engineering Solutions Ltd
Landscape Design – Stride Treglown
Planning Consultant – JLL
Cost Consultant – Bailey Partnership

Related posts