Westcombe House Student Accommodation - Greenwich, London

Westcombe House Student Accommodation

Greenwich, London

Bowman Riley was approached by our existing client, Linden Hill to develop the designs for a residential development in the Greenwich area of London.

Planning permission had already been obtained for a four-storey apartment building, however, we were brought on board to ensure that the development achieved the best value for our client. We amended the designs to convert the scheme into a 61 bedroom high-end student accommodation aimed at the student market. Our designs maximised the footprint of the development. Working closely with Linden Hill, the development was re-submitted for planning approval and a student accommodation operator was brought on board.

Subsequently, we explored both traditional and modern methods of construction. It was decided that the scheme would be developed as a modular building to ensure that it would be completed in time for the start of the new academic year 2020. We were then novated to the modular contractor, QB Technology.

Our interior designers provided concepts for the ground floor communal areas providing a spatial plan, high-quality CGIs and photo-realistic renders for a gym, gaming room, cinema, working area, living area and dining room. Our intention was to create a home-away-from-home for the students providing welcoming, social and comfortable spaces. Student wellbeing is a key driver offering spaces out of their bedrooms to socialise, a meeting room for group work, a quiet library zone and a space for quiet working. We are also providing drawings for lighting, electrics, joinery, furniture specification and procurement
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The spaces are practical and flexible enough to be reconfigured. We have separated the main library and living area into two separate rooms. Our aim was for the space to have an open feel with the ability to create two private areas that could be hired out. To achieve this, we added a retractable wall to allow both functions of the space.