University Court Student Residences
University of Worcester
The new student residential development will be located on the western edge of the City of Worcester. It reflects the University's planned 50% increase in student population by 2022–23. Our masterplan provides 1550 new undergraduate and post-graduate rooms, which will be supported by a student hub building and complemented by two academic buildings. In addition there will be car parking, bicycle parking and extensive landscape and infrastructure work.
A prime intention has been to establish a strong sense of the identity of the campus so halls are arranged around a grand, green oval-shaped space defining the heart of the campus, the townhouses forming an outer ring. The intention is that the layout should be easily understood as a single place and preferably a memorable one.
Nicholas Hare Architects demonstrated careful consideration of how a scheme of this scale and complexity will be implemented.University of Worcester
The student hub
The student hub will provide a focus for all of the students on the site, both in terms of functional activities – laundry, collecting parcels, exercise, local shopping – and through the provision of its café, shared learning and event spaces. The curved form of the building will look out over the sloping public area of the site in the south-east, and will present an inviting concave façade on the side of the student halls.
Inclusion and accessibility
The project reflects the University's vision for a highly inclusive, accessible and sustainable 'home from home' for students. The Y-shaped halls, with three flats per floor and a shared central space are designed to minimise overlooking, a big concern of students. Each room is wheelchair accessible and each flat has one fully accessible room; each floor has an accessible toilet for visitors and each main building has twin lifts. Wider aspects of inclusion are exemplified by the design of the landscaping to help wayfinding for those with impaired sight.
Our Team
- Rachel Baldwin
- Hannah Bergstrand
- Camilla Francis
- Andrew Gowing
- Clive Gray
- Nicholas Hare
- Diane Harrington
- Carol Lelliott
- Henry Posner
- Sandeep Sandhu
- Ruth Saxton
Project Team
- Client: University of Worcester
- Cost Planning: RPS Group
- Project Management: RPS Group
- Civil & Structural Engineer: Pick Everard
- Services Engineer: Buro Happold
- Landscape Architect: Fabrik
- BREEAM Assessor: CBG Consultants
- Planning Consultants: Phil Jones Associates
- Acoustician: CDC
- Fire Engineer: Buro Happold
- Principal Designer: Ridge & Partners
