award winning architects

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Halls of Residence, University of Reading Berkshire

Client:
University of Reading
Location:
Reading, Berkshire
Contact:
David Hunter 0117 974 3271 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Phase 1

The scheme consists of 8 & 10 bed cluster flats with a shared kitchen / dining area that are designed around landscaped courtyards. The development crosses two local authority boundaries, requiring planning applications to be submitted to both. Reading Borough Council required the scheme to achieve a 20% reduction in carbon footprint and a BREEAM score of 65% (very good). The new buildings are heated using underfloor heating that is linked into an air source heat pump.

The first phase of the new halls development includes a new central facility offering: administration, dining, social, laundry and postal facilities. A new catering facility, providing 400 seats with a variety of food outlets and a bar, faces the other facilities across a new courtyard to realise this ambition. Working with Stride Treglown Interiors and Red and Orange (our graphic design studio) a completely new new catering brand identity has been developed.

Phase 2

The second phase consists of 594 bedrooms in cluster flats and 300 bedrooms in a town house arrangement. The town houses use a timber frame form of construction with brick and render cladding to respond to the surrounding buildings. A pitched roof clad in zinc encloses the buildings with a roof turret providing smoke ventilation and natural light to the staircases. The buildings are arranged in a ‘U’ shape around a green square with a single storey energy centre and bike store enclosing the fourth side. The cluster flats are arranged around another courtyard to the north ensuring that each element of the development has its own identity.

Phase 2 will start on site in 2011 once demolition of the existing halls is complete. Our planning team negotiated the planning application on behalf of the University.