Purdown View—the largest Passivhaus development in the UK and a global pioneer for low-energy student living—has been shortlisted for the 2026 RIBA Awards in the South West & Wessex category.
At 900 beds, the project is a key milestone in UWE Bristol’s journey to a Net Zero campus by 2030. But sustainability is only part of its story. With students across the UK facing an epidemic of loneliness and isolation, Purdown View is designed to be a place where they can find their feet—and their people.
Passivhaus. Active community.
From the moment they move in, the environment is designed to provide opportunities for students to build community. Inside the buildings, scattered social areas give residents genuine choice in how they spend their time.
Large, open spaces provide an ideal arena for gaming sessions or society meet-ups, while smaller, quieter corners are perfect for catching up on reading or hunkering down to study. Across these spaces, the material palette cultivates a sense of belonging. Vivid reds and bright oranges reflect Bristol’s creative energy, balanced by gentler tones, warm timbers, and soft lighting.
“Quite a lot of people hang out or study in the Student Life Hub, so you can always meet people […] It is a friendly place.”
EJ, Purdown View Inhabitant
Wildflowers, not wallflowers
Sitting along one of the busiest routes through campus, Purdown View’s landscape continues to balance serenity with social opportunity.
Its three six-storey blocks spill out into landscaped courtyards, connected by a vibrant, tree-lined boulevard—a natural point of confluence for students from separate flats and social circles.
Raised planters, covered canopies, and stepped terraces provide perfect places to eat, study, or catch up. A sculpture garden—created with Arnolfini and artists Juneau Projects—infuses the site with culture, and a small nature pond surrounded by wildflowers makes an ideal spot for quiet contemplation and contributes to an overall biodiversity net gain of more than 50%.
“Every time I look outside, I feel thankful.”
Emma, Purdown View Inhabitant
Built for performance
To achieve Passivhaus certification at Purdown View’s immense 26,000 m2 scale, the residences had to meet strict performance targets. These influenced every design decision, from building orientation and massing to the triple-glazed windows and ventilation strategy.
Hot water comes from air-source heat pumps, while rooftop solar panels generate electricity for heating and appliances. This has enabled the development to run using largely renewable energy, reducing energy use by 81% and carbon by 79% per room compared to the previous accommodation.
To achieve this at pace required seamless collaboration between specialist teams across Stride Treglown, as well as with contractors and certifiers.
The result is a Passivhaus that feels like home—a place where students can feel comfortable, warm and surrounded by nature and community.
“Purdown View proves that large-scale student housing can meet ambitious carbon targets without sacrificing comfort, connection, and a sense of home.”
Matt Tarling, Director, Stride Treglown
Congratulations to our architecture, interior design and landscape architecture teams for securing a place on the shortlist. RIBA judges will visit the site this spring, with winners announced later this year. Until then, why not hear more about life at Purdown View, straight from its inhabitants?
