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16 . 04 . 24
In September 2021, the £24 million student residential scheme at the Arts University of Bournemouth (AUB) was officially opened.
The flagship project completion for Arts University Bournemouth is a significant milestone in the university’s strategy to increase availability of on-site accommodation at its Wallisdown Campus.
The finished project provides 299-bedrooms for student residential accommodation and an arrivals pavilion. This is accompanied by additional car parking and structural landscaping. The sustainable scheme design also involved a series of communal study and social spaces with the inclusion of external courtyards and gardens.
To achieve this, AECOM - on behalf of Perfect Circle - was appointed under SCAPE’s National Built Environment Consultancy Services framework to provide design consultancy services, leading a multidisciplinary team to transform the site. Construction partners included Morgan Sindall Construction, while Winchester-based Design Engine Architects were sub-consultants.
Utilising a predominantly local supply chain, almost 90% of the work was routed through SMEs based in the area, benefitting 45 firms. The project also created 27 jobs during construction and trainees were provided with more than 700 weeks of work experience during its completion.
“This prestigious project for Arts University Bournemouth is an outstanding example of how Perfect Circle’s expertise and extensive supply chain of partners not only leads to the development of quality designed and completed projects, but prioritises communities and the local economy. In fact, this scheme for the university has created 74p of social value for every £1 of the development cost, a total of just under £20m.
Frank Luard, director at AECOM
Our added value proposition to amplify the local economic, environmental and social impact was instrumental to the far-reaching success of the development. By prioritising sustainability and wider placemaking components, the contemporary on-campus accommodation is also well-connected via green transport links to local amenities that will be relied upon by students as they live and learn while studying at Arts University Bournemouth. We are delighted the site has now opened following several years of dedicated consultancy.”
Mark Robinson, group chief executive of SCAPE, commented, “The best things happen through partnership. And it’s clear that Arts University Bournemouth really is Building Back Better, right now. The collaboration between Arts University Bournemouth, Morgan Sindall and AECOM, through Perfect Circle, has delivered a residential scheme to be really proud of. With the combined oversight of SCAPE and our colleagues at SCF, together, we’ve ensured that this project was delivered at pace, in a socially conscious way, and with strong sustainability credentials to help Arts University Bournemouth actively reduce its carbon footprint, whilst benefiting the local community. At SCAPE, we’re proud to have helped accelerate this project and deliver something really special that will improve the lives, wellbeing and experiences for the community at Arts University Bournemouth.”
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