Pascall+Watson undertook a design competition at the University of Sussex and successfully won the project for Northfield student accommodation.  

The university had a shortfall of housing provision against demand due to the increase in student numbers and an inclination from students to live on campus. This project located in Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty  adjacent to the South Downs National Park, drew on traditional Sussex farmsteads and villages in terms of layout, form and use of materials and enabled us to successfully achieving planning for 1,105 units, in excess of the initial application of 280 units. 

Pascall+Watson ensured University of Sussex’s brief specifications were met including development of fully equipped en-suite bedrooms capable of prefabrication, arranged in four, five and six bedroom clusters, all with a kitchen and dining area each. The flexibility of the cluster arrangements enabled different expressions of built form to be achieved in response to specific site conditions and locations. 

This project was designed to a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ standard, with a timber framed solution providing a high-standard of insulation to the walls and the roof within the buildings. Biodiversity was introduced through the use of green roofs, creating new spaces for natural habitats. 

Pascall+Watson ensured the bedrooms and common spaces for everyone were naturally ventilated, resulting in an energy-saving solution. Over 90% of the material selection was selected following the Grade A and A* rating from the BRE’s green specification Guide 4th Edition.