Modular Student Accommodation in Lewisham, Oregon by Weston Williamson+Partners

Article source: Weston Williamson+Partners 

Chapter Lewisham, a distinctive ‘boutique’ concept of student accommodation, part of Lewisham Council’s town centre regeneration plan, opened its doors to students late last week.

Weston Williamson+Partners, working with building contractor Tide, used the latest technologies in prefabricated module building, by Vision Modular Designs, to deliver one of the largest and most creative modern student accommodations to date.

Image Courtesy © Nick Guttridge

• Architects: Weston Williamson+Partners
• Project: Modular Student Accommodation
• Location: Lewisham, Oregon, USA
• Photography: Nick Guttridge

Image Courtesy © Nick Guttridge

Subsequent to the brief for premium student living, led by US company Greystar, WW+P produced a carefully considered design for a 611-unit building and  associated urban realm, one which has already won them a prize in the  International Property Awards under the “Best Multiple Residence for London” category.

Working under a revised planning application, and in close collaboration with the Council’s newly instated requirements for a revitalised Lewisham town centre, WW+P and Tide articulated a design that provided a positive contribution to the urban context and the aspirations of the Lewisham Town Centre Redevelopment plan.

Image Courtesy © Nick Guttridge

Image Courtesy © Nick Guttridge

About the project, Senior WW+P Partner Philip Breese said “On Chapter Lewisham, our experience of collaborative team working, using market leading pre-fabricated units, has got to be the way forward for solving a significant part of the current housing shortage. We look forward to delivering more high quality buildings of this type across London and the UK”.

The challenge for the architects was to accommodate 636 modular prefabricated units, in a design response that would satisfy the aspirations of the client and the local authority by enhancing the perceptions of space and public realm. This was in the unreceptive context of a block of already existing high-rise developments forming the backdrop to the streetscape.

Image Courtesy © Nick Guttridge

Image Courtesy © Nick Guttridge

Philip Breese, Senior Partner at WW+P and his team chose to ‘open up’ the site by introducing an entrance canopy linking the west and east blocks to maintain the colonnade aspect across the full length of the building. The response ensured that the two blocks were punctuated with large windows to student bedrooms and communal spaces.

They used modular construction for each of the residential areas above the ground floor accounting for approximately 90% of the building’s overall floor area drawing huge benefits in reducing on-site waste, associated traffic noise and dust pollution and transport-related CO2 emissions.

Image Courtesy © Nick Guttridge

Image Courtesy © Nick Guttridge

Manufactured in central England, the modular construction units not only provide domestic jobs but also allow for significant programme savings on site. Each of the 636 modules were delivered to site and erected in just three months, with full construction of the scheme achieved in approximately 10 months.

WW+P have designed Sherwood Court with a deliberate intent to reinstate the streetscape and enhance its future character and activity. Furthermore, a number of elegantly landscaped green strips respond to and accentuate the existing buffer of trees adjacent to the railway. This stands in good stead with the UK national planning policy which favours growth around public transport hubs reducing reliance on travel by car while also protecting existing green spaces.

Image Courtesy © Nick Guttridge

Image Courtesy © Nick Guttridge

About Weston Williamson

Weston Williamson is an award winning architectural and urban design practice with a wide variety of projects in the UK and abroad. Our specialist knowledge and design experience, built up over 30 years, enables us to provide elegant and considered solutions. Our clients include Crossrail, London Underground Limited, and Docklands Light Railway along with many residential and mixed use Clients.

Image Courtesy © Nick Guttridge

Image Courtesy © Nick Guttridge

Tags: Oregon, USA

Categories: Building, Hostel, Residential

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