Student housing and amenities in the heart of a parkland setting

University of Sussex West Slope Residential
Observatory view

The West Slope residential development for University of Sussex is part of the continuing evolution of the campus to improve the University's facilities, ensure the best possible student experience and continue the architectural legacy of Sir Basil Spence.

With a student pavilion and library at its heart, it provides three typologies of student rooms together with supporting student amenities:  student hubs, launderettes, a supermarket, health and wellbeing centre and a cafe.

The proposals were granted planning approval by a unanimous committee in May 2020.

Key Information

Sector: Higher Education, Residential

Client: Balfour Beatty Investments Ltd

Location: United Kingdom

Completion: March 2027

Size: 63,562sqm

learning and living in the landscape

Set in the South Downs National Park, the landscape of the campus was described by Spence as  growing "of the soil of Sussex to become a natural part of this beautiful site."

The scheme retains the character of the existing parkland setting and the student clusters and townhouses propose an integrated architectural and landscape design. It is respectful of the existing mature trees and creates garden terraces around these trees for the smaller neighbourhood clusters of residences to use, occupy, and claim as part of their identity.

Team

Engineering
Arup
Transport
Steer Group
Planning
Parker Dann Chartered Town Planning Consultants
Client / Project Manager
Balfour Beatty
Access Consultant
Buro Happold
EIA Consultant
LUC
Specification Consultancy
AECOM Specification Consulting
Client / Project Manager
Balfour Beatty Investments
Facade Specialist
Fusion Building Systems
Grant Associates
Grant Associates
CDM Advisor
Gardiner & Theobald LLP

FCBStudios Team Leads