Quartet of Student Housing Projects

Students living in two Midlands university cities are benefitting after the completion of accommodation refurbishment projects designed by Self.

We have designed the reconfiguration and refurbishment of three student housing developments in Nottingham and one in Leicester for client iQ Student Accommodation (iQ).

The schemes at Newlands House and Newtown House on Maid Marion Way, Nottingham, have centred on the creation of additional studio bedrooms and apartments and new amenity spaces.

These include games areas, cinema room and study lounges, larger communal laundry and shared kitchen and ‘Come Dine With Me’ spaces.

The Self-designed scheme at The Exchange student accommodation building in Nottingham involves the conversion of 42 studios into mezzanine duplex studios along with the general refurbishment and upgrading of bedrooms.

Work has also completed on a further refurbishment scheme at iQ’s Opal Court student accommodation in Leicester as the new academic year starts. This has included a single storey extension providing new snooker and table tennis area, Come Dine with Me kitchen, study room, lounge and games pods.

Self Director Martyn Smith said: “We are very aware of the importance of where and how students live to their overall health and wellbeing.

“In all of its buildings, iQ aims to make it as easy as possible for students to be part of their new community and to make friends – bringing them out of their rooms into the social and amenity areas available in all iQ buildings.

“So, our designs look at making the best use of space to create more social interaction possibilities with the aim of reducing student isolation and promoting well-being.”

Self is at the forefront of designing the next generation of student living. The practice works with a range of accommodation clients on new-build schemes, as well as making the best use of redundant spaces within existing buildings to create more social places and on-site activities for residents.

Martyn added:

“This is about dedicated amenity areas providing such things as bars, cinemas, gyms, gaming, lounges and group work areas with individual study booths on site.

“It’s also looking at the accommodation mix so there are a good range of studios and cluster flats with kitchenettes and Come Dine With Me areas.”

“If student accommodation can provide genuine healthy living spaces, then these become places that students may feel happy to spend the duration of their university life in.”

iQ Student Accommodation is the largest provider of purpose-built student accommodation in the UK by value, owning and operating 66 properties across 27 UK cities and towns which are home to over 28,000 students.