AUB Student Accommodation

The site is located on land immediately south of the existing Wallisdown campus, offering immediate proximity to the existing campus buildings, while including infrastructure upgrades that will improve connectivity to the wider cycle network and future Bournemouth University Bus Hub.

The accommodation is set out in a series of staggered linear blocks, running north-south along the site. These buildings line either side of a newly-created pedestrian street which has been introduced to encourage a sense of community and create social spaces on the ground floor.

By offsetting each cluster flat block, the pedestrian street is divided up into a series of routes and squares, each with a different character and composition. This environment is reinforced with an extensive landscaping scheme that includes a mixture of hard and soft finishes and planting throughout.

The proposal embraces a 1.5m level change between the existing campus and site by introducing a generous set of entrance steps, with an integrated accessible ramp, terraced seating and planting. This key transition space condition is framed with a horizontal canopy that extends out from a new communal reception and security building. The canopy acts as a portal between the existing academic buildings and new residential quarters and provides an enhanced arrival experience to the campus as a whole when entering from Fern Barrow to the West.

This project represents the university’s ongoing commitment to provide students with well-suited student accommodation that helps foster a friendly, caring environment for students…We are very pleased with the project, from its inception to handover, and the Halls perfectly complement our existing Campus buildings in scale, function and sustainability. Tom Marshall, Head of Campus Services at AUB

The project’s architectural approach is set out to clearly articulate public and private spaces throughout the buildings.

The cluster flat blocks are treated with brick facades and muted aluminium cladding panels, referencing the recently completed Student Services building within the campus. Recessed windows, sections of projecting brickwork and variation to the mortar colour and brick stock enhance the buildings’ envelope while retaining a language that reflects the private nature of the bedrooms within.

At the corner of each cluster flat, brass-clad projecting bay windows provide a strong contrast to the brickwork, defining the communal kitchen spaces. Each corner window contains an expansive window seat that helps to connect occupants with the street below.

Communal spaces on the ground floor are equally designed to contrast with the elevations in which they are inserted. These elements are defined by projecting canopies, clad in a range of brightly coloured aluminium panels, and large expanses of curtain walling to define transparent, open spaces that are accessible and welcoming to all.

The project has introduced a significant amount of planting, with numerous semi-mature trees and shrubs introduced to create a woodland boundary along the perimeter of the site. This will serve to enhance the boundary of the campus and enable the new buildings to integrate into the surrounding context of Talbot Village.

The new student accommodation provides high-quality on-campus living for students studying at AUB, helping to support its growing reputation as a leading creative faculty. With its close proximity to the existing campus, the development will contribute to the University’s long-running sustainability ambitions through reduced travel distances and measures are taken to prioritise pedestrians over cars. The building is targetting BREEAM ‘Very Good’, in line with recent developments, and will achieve thermal efficiency in its construction and incorporate photovoltaics at roof level.

The new AUB student accommodation was officially opened in September 2021 in time for the 2021/2022 academic year.