The majority of people, who studied at University in the past, think of student halls of residence as the dingy, cold, stark buildings that would supply you with a desk, a chair, a bed and wardrobe and the luxury of a kitchen and bathroom shared with ten other students. Not the students of 2010. The competitive market of student accommodation has resulted in an increase of schemes which offer students an ensuite room, with internet access, safes in wardrobes, kitchens and lounges with LCD screens and a common room resembling a hotel foyer. So as the new build halls become bigger and better each competitor University Hall needs to be offering just that little bit more.
The University of Leeds, has recently stepped up to this mark, completing their new 460 ensuite bedroom halls of residence, directly on campus – Storm Jameson Court.
In 2008, Penelope Tiffney of Spatial Designers was appointed by the University to design the interior scheme for the project. The challenge was to make best use of the twelve-foot square space of the standard student study bedrooms, offering them plenty of storage in comfortable, contemporary, well planned accommodation. There were also the important criteria of designing rooms that would appeal to the college conference delegates that frequent the university during the summer months.
Over the last two years, Penelope has worked with the university, the design team and the contractors to deliver a high specification package throughout the scheme.High quality casegoods, carpet and bespoke artwork compliment purpose-designed bathroom pods. Part of every standard room these are curved externally, to allow the bedroom to appear spacious. Internally they feature white gloss walls, with a large vanity mirror and contemporary sanitaryware, glazed shower cubicles and safety flooring.
