University of St Andrews, Student Residences

This major development by University of St Andrews, in partnership with Campus Living Villages, will provide new student residences on three sites within St Andrews. The sites at Albany Park, Agnes Blackadder Hall and University Hall were proposed as part of The University of St Andrews Accommodation Action Plan, which aims to provide 900 additional bed spaces and refurbish large areas of the existing residences.

The developments at University Hall and Agnes Blackadder Hall are now complete and involved the construction of new build student halls on gap sites adjacent to existing residences, within the North Haugh campus. These residences are now known as Whitehorn and Powell Halls respectively. The design of both responded to the sensitivity of planning issues adjacent to existing buildings, particularly with Whitehorn and University Hall's proximity.

The engineering challenges included the constrained allowable building height due to planning, which necessitated a 'slimfoor' steel frame construction and the limited access and working space available. Connections to existing drainage systems also provide challenging and required inverted syphons and pumped systems to be designed.

The development of the Albany Park site, located adjacent to East Sands beach, has involved the demolition of existing residences and will entail construction of new build student accommodation blocks, along with shared social areas and conference facilities which will be accommodated in a stand along building that will respect and reuse some of the historic buildings on the site. The design seeks to respond to the various constraints and challenges of this site, including planning sensitivities, a culverted watercourse and flood risk. Main contract site works are due to commence in late 2021.