Oaklands College Homestead Building

The new student accommodation at Oaklands College, nestled within the greenbelt of Hertfordshire, is a two-storey, eco-friendly development designed to enhance the student experience while blending seamlessly into its agricultural surroundings. ‘The Homestead’ offers a comfortable living space for students, complete with sustainable features that reflect the College’s commitment to eco-conscious design.

This project also involved the creation of a new car park and landscape enhancements to improve accessibility across the site.

For the client, ISG, the project delivered a high quality, functional space for Oaklands College that supported the institution’s goal of encouraging permanent student residence. The clever use of natural materials, such as zinc cladding, brick, and clay tiles, ensured the building blended into its greenbelt setting while remaining cost-effective. The incorporation of sustainable technologies, including natural ventilation and underfloor heating powered by a ground source heat pump, added value through energy-efficiency and long term operational savings.

The design of the accommodation provided a variety of spaces for students, including en-suite rooms, a pastoral space, and collaborative work areas, all contributing to a vibrant campus atmosphere. The inclusion of accessible spaces also extended the building’s value to students with additional needs.

Direct impacts include the creation of a new, high quality accommodation for students, fostering a sense of community and permanency on the Oaklands College campus. The sustainable design supports the College’s eco-friendly ethos, with reduced energy consumption and a minimised carbon footprint. The indirect impacts extend to the local community by enhancing the attractiveness of the college as a place to study, thus potentially increasing student enrollment.

The new car park and landscaped areas improve the site’s overall functionality, making it more accessible and welcoming for students, staff, and visitors. The reuse of sustainable materials and the integration of environmentally conscious systems help position Oaklands College as a leader in green building practices.

The project’s technical expertise ensured the successful integration of sustainable systems, from the ground source heat pump to natural ventilation in the bedrooms, which reduces reliance on mechanical systems and enhances air quality. The use of natural materials in construction supports the College’s eco-friendly goals, reducing the environmental impact of the build. Spatial efficiency was maximised through a well-planned design that effectively utilised every square metre of space.

Time savings on-site were achieved by using modular construction techniques and pre-fabricated components, reducing the construction timeline while maintaining high quality. The inclusion of accessible rooms and spaces demonstrates a commitment to social sustainability by catering to the diverse needs of the student body.