Designers Named for London School of Economics Student Accommodation Building

16/5/24

A joint submission by architects Carmody Groarke and Sheppard Robson is the winning scheme for LSE's ‘Bankside’ competition, delivering affordable student accommodation with development partner Bouygues UK and Equitix.

The architectural partnership was amongst a shortlist of six competition teams and has been chosen to take their designs forward to deliver what aspires to be the ‘best university halls of residence in London’. There will be a particular design emphasis on sustainability, health, student wellbeing and affordability.

Taking the place of the existing Bankside House student accommodation building located behind Tate Modern, the design is developed around the idea of three ‘houses’. The accommodation will target a provision of up to 2,000-beds, grouped into three communities of around 650 students, housed in individual buildings. The three ‘houses’ are connected at the lower floors and via garden terraces.

The creation of three blocks and the distribution of social and amenity space within each building aims to break down student numbers into manageable clusters, helping the formation of communities and providing a ‘sense of home’ in each.

Carmody Groarke and Sheppard Robson’s winning design carefully considered the brief in a stand-out way whilst offering flexibility and the opportunity to provide an efficient space that still satisfies the full brief.

With one front door ‘welcoming all’, orientated towards both the LSE campus and Tate Modern, the design strengthens the connections between key institutions whilst leaning on a ‘living room’ entrance concept and creating an environment that prioritises a positive living experience with comfort and convenience.

The scheme set targets of Passivhaus certification and LETI standards as well as WELL Standard and BREEAM Outstanding, which will be developed in the next stages of design.

Julian Robinson, Director of LSE Estates Division, said: “This new building will form a key part of the LSE brand and identity. We will be looking for an exemplary piece of civic architecture which is affordable for all LSE students, focuses on environmental sustainability, health and wellbeing and offers an outstanding student experience.”

Source: Bankside House Redevelopment (lse.ac.uk)