Hannah, can you start by explaining your role here?
I look after communications and some of the marketing for student accommodation, primarily on Frenchay and Glenside campus. So, I was involved in the photography and videography for Purdown View, the prospective guides for open days, and the website too!
Very nice! What’s it been like trying to promote Purdown to new students?
I feel like everyone’s been wowed by it. People love the bedrooms—especially that the beds are slightly bigger than a single. A lot of students are used to having a double bed at home so a single feels like a demotion. So that’s gone down well.
Has any of the feedback surprised you?
We get a lot of good feedback about the hatch between the kitchen and living rooms. It feels nostalgic—very ‘70s and ‘80s. People love the idea of chatting through the hatch or decorating it with herbs or a pot plant—I think it’s really nice to have a separate kitchen/living room, but not be cut off when you’re cooking.
And personally for you, what stands out?
I love the social spaces. The other accommodation doesn’t have that and a lot of students tell us they just want to meet their neighbours. But it’s the COVID generation and they’re often nervous about approaching people in person. They’re absolutely fine doing it on social media or WhatsApp, but to actually knock on someone’s door is really unfamiliar for them.
They’ve missed out on that skill?
Yeah, they’ve missed out on that. But at Purdown, because they have that third space, they mingle a lot more. I see it all the time. Around lunchtime they’ll be here on the plaza and then you’ll see one go off to block three, one go off to block four, one go off to block five—it’s really nice. And there’s always people studying or socialising in the common room, which we don’t see as much in the other properties.
So which are the most popular spaces, and what makes them stand out?
The Student Life Hub is used a lot. I think because it’s so visual. And because you can see it from two directions. Say you’ve got a lecture in Q block, the Hub is a shortcut so they go through it and might bump into someone, have a quick game of pool or something. It’s also a popular event space.
Is the bookable kitchen space used much?
Yes! We hosted a few trial events there like cooking classes and mocktail making classes before actively promoting it as a bookable space. But word’s starting to spread that it’s available for private events—we actually had an inquiry this afternoon!
It’s such a unique space. I’ve seen communal dining halls where people can take food and eat it together, but I think we’re one of the first universities to have a space to all cook and eat together in one room. I love it. I remember when I was at university we did Come Dine with Me—we’d all go over to each other’s houses. I feel like they can make that same memory here on campus which is a really great thing.
And what about the green spaces in general, how are those being used?
Because we’re just outside the city, I think having these green little plots of land is lovely and it makes it feel less industrial. I always think it feels quite European, a little bit like a Spanish new build, and not like student accommodation. I think that’s because of the grass. We’ve obviously got grass elsewhere on campus but at Purdown View it feels like it’s their lawn, students feel like they can own it.
That’s lovely feedback. Have you promoted the edible planting at all?
I tend to do it more in spring and summer. It’s frustrating because Purdown is stunning in summer and that’s when the students have left. I want to host a walking tour to harvest everything and then come into the bookable kitchen and cook it.
I think people are scared to pick anything at the moment. I don’t think it’s a lack of permission, more that they don’t realise what’s edible here. Hopefully, when it’s more established it will get more popular—I saw some alpine strawberries the other day!
Is there anything that has gone down less well with students?
The exposed ceilings tend to get mixed reviews. And people aren’t massively keen on the glass panel on the front doors. They don’t like that it’s not completely private.
When I went to uni student halls were known for being rough, but now expectations are so much higher. I think they expect the level of management you’d get if you were living as a young professional in the city. So, they don’t like the fact that the glass is there and security can look in and check stuff.
Wellbeing was a massive part of our brief. Have you seen a correlation between the environment and the students’ health?
Definitely, we can tell. There’s obviously still misbehaviour here, but students are a lot chattier, more sociable, and just seem happier in general. They probably don’t realise what impact the building is having, with the light coming into the rooms and the temperature control, stuff like that. They’ll probably only realise how good it was when they move out and end up in those little dark Victorian houses next year!
Have you noticed any differences in the experiences of international and UK students?
For sure. International students have moved here—sometimes from the other side of the world—so it often feels like they make more effort to build their own community.
We often find they don’t want to live with other students from their own country, they want to mix, otherwise they could have gone to university at home, whereas UK students stick to themselves a bit more. Maybe it’s because staying in halls is just so part and parcel for them. But for international students, their time in Britain can be so short, it’s really precious so they get the most out of their experience.
That’s really interesting. And what about in terms of comfort in rooms?
There are some cultural differences, especially with our Muslim students requiring a shower hose or a bidet to wash properly for prayer. We can’t put those in because of legionella, but there has to be another work around.
Similarly with the big windows, especially bedrooms on the ground floor can feel quite exposed, especially for women. And if students are Hijabi, they feel like they can’t relax in their own home, they can’t take their scarves off because you can see into rooms. So we need to think about these things.
That’s interesting feedback, thank you. And finally, could you describe Purdown View in three words?
Bright, community, grown-up.
