Stirling University commences work on student residences overhaul
August 1 2012
The University of Stirling has got the ball rolling on the largest capital project since its foundation in the late sixties with a ground breaking ceremony at its Stirling campus.
It follows signing of an £11m contract with Graham Construction to build the first phase of a three stage overhaul of residential accommodation that will include 80 flats, 22 studio apartments, 11 nine-bed townhouses and nine flats for families.
Designed by Lewis & Hickey these will replace existing sub-standard rooms to better meet the expectations of today’s students, offering study bedrooms, kitchens with dining spaces, social spaces and better connections to the surrounding landscape.Page\Park acted as campus masterplanners.
Karen Plouviez, Director of Estates & Campus Services, said: “The redevelopment of 40% of the existing accommodation is tremendously exciting in terms of further enhancing the University’s appeal to students, and the commercial conference and events business that is so important to our financial sustainability.”
The project will ultimately provide 788 bedrooms spread across four locations when work completes in 2015.
A number of townhouses will also be built
Just under half of the existing 1960s estate will be demolished
New builds will be built from blockwork with horizontal emphasis to respect the sixties originals
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16 Comments
#1 Posted by CHRISTE on 1 Aug 2012 at 12:10 PM
A Great Addition to a Great Campus !
#2 Posted by Duncan on 1 Aug 2012 at 12:54 PM
Can't wait the old halls were like living in a prison!
#3 Posted by Arthur Brown on 1 Aug 2012 at 15:01 PM
The old halls are overdue an overhaul.
I hope the new accommodation is at least BREEAM excellent?
I hope the new accommodation is at least BREEAM excellent?
#4 Posted by urbanrealm on 1 Aug 2012 at 16:06 PM
Hi Arthur - yes, the aim is to achieve a BREEAM excellent rating.
#5 Posted by pita on 2 Aug 2012 at 13:34 PM
I hope they end up better than lewis and hickey's recently completed halls for the university of the west of scotland - also with graham. I have a bucket of magnolia paint that's as interesting as that image.
#6 Posted by Bill on 2 Aug 2012 at 18:49 PM
I live near the West of Scotland University Halls and the quality of build is pretty good. I think you have to bear in mind they are a commercial venture and have to stack up financially. We would all love to design award iconic award winning architecture but sometimes the budget dictates otherwise. I can't personally think of any truly stunning student residencies projects that have been finished lately ?
#7 Posted by Christopher Auld on 2 Aug 2012 at 19:18 PM
True, you would not commission Lewis and Hickey if you were interested in winning awards either.
#8 Posted by Bill on 2 Aug 2012 at 21:25 PM
I think that's possibly a little unfair. I'm sure their library project won awards if memory servs me right
But more importantly I think from a Clients point of view they are more interested in getting the development to work, Both on site and Financially. Ensuring that the designer they employ is able to get a wee pat on the back award from their buddies is probably fairly low on their priorities list.
But more importantly I think from a Clients point of view they are more interested in getting the development to work, Both on site and Financially. Ensuring that the designer they employ is able to get a wee pat on the back award from their buddies is probably fairly low on their priorities list.
#9 Posted by Christopher Auld on 2 Aug 2012 at 21:44 PM
True again Bill. They're just one of a number of architects sadly who mask their poor design skills by saying it's keeping costs low and working with the contractor that's really important.
#10 Posted by Bill on 3 Aug 2012 at 06:05 AM
Again I think your possibly being a little unfair.
If the job didn't stack up financially there would be no job at all.
In all seriousness can anyone think of any really good student residences in Scotland delivered in the past 5 years ?
If the job didn't stack up financially there would be no job at all.
In all seriousness can anyone think of any really good student residences in Scotland delivered in the past 5 years ?
#11 Posted by Paul D on 3 Aug 2012 at 19:33 PM
Why does student accommodation always feature tiny, disproportionate windows.
#12 Posted by Natalie on 7 Aug 2012 at 13:12 PM
I would hardly call a window of circa 1300w x 1600h tiny and disproportionate
#13 Posted by mike hunt on 16 Aug 2012 at 14:12 PM
The best bit is the sketches.
#14 Posted by Geoff on 16 Aug 2012 at 14:20 PM
It is hard to tell the difference between the 60's blocks that are being demolished.
#15 Posted by Geoff on 16 Aug 2012 at 14:30 PM
Bill,
Take a look at Pollock Halls by Oberlanders.
Take a look at Pollock Halls by Oberlanders.
#16 Posted by Sooz on 4 Jul 2013 at 13:10 PM
as an alumni of Stirling Uni, I am torn by seeing the recent images of the residences being bulldozed. Part of me weeps for the erasure of my past, the campus will never look the same again, and part of me rejoices for future students who will not have to live in the horrendous rooms, which frankly made me embarassed to have any friends over who were at other Unis - like a friend at Strathclyde who had an en suite. But there was something to be said for living in such miserable conditions - everyone was in the same boat, and we made our own entertainment, and the atmosphere was 2nd to none.
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