Verde Student Accommodation, Tyneside Housing, English Architecture Development Images

Verde Student Accommodation in Newcastle

Housing Development Tyneside, northeast England design by SimpsonHaugh and Partners Architects, UK

9 Feb 2017

Verde Student Accommodation

Architects: SimpsonHaugh and Partners

Location: Newcastle, UK

Verde Student Accommodation – SimpsonHaugh completes striking student development in Newcastle City Centre

Photos © Daniel Hopkinson

Architects SimpsonHaugh and Partners have completed Verde, a dynamic 543 room student accommodation complex opposite St. James Park stadium in the heart of Newcastle City Centre.

Designed for leading student accommodation provider Downing, Verde consists of two buildings located on Pitt Street and comprises 431 bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms, along with 112 self-contained studio flats. It also includes state-of-the-art leisure facilities including a cinema room, games room and fully equipped gym.

The scheme’s strong identity is derived from a glazed, vibrant green coloured facade. The prow of the main 11-storey building rises to a focal point at the northern gateway to the Science Central site with crisp angles helping to define views and capture changes in reflected and refracted natural light.

An expansive landscaped courtyard has also been created. Its elevations comprise light reflective silver aluminum panels with two different finishes and are arranged over two floors resulting in a checkerboard pattern. The colours of the panels were chosen to reflect the changing colours of the sky.

Matthew Ayres, Partner at SimpsonHaugh and Partners said: “Verde is deliberately striking in colour and form, creating a new landmark in this area of Newcastle city centre and forming a distinctive gateway between the University and Science Central.”

SimpsonHaugh and Partners and Downing have been instrumental in the development and rejuvenation of much of Newcastle’s student offering, both in terms of accommodation and academic buildings.

The companies have collaborated on a number of award-winning projects in the city, including the 120,000 sq. ft. Newcastle University Business School and most recently The View; a 444 bedroom student accommodation development which was voted Best New Building at Newcastle’s Lord Mayor’s Design Awards last year. Verde is the final phase of the £250 million Downing Plaza development.

Ann Lodge, Downing chief executive, said: “We’re delighted to complete the final stage of the Plaza Development. A striking addition to the scheme, Verde is a prime example of the kind of well-designed student accommodation that Downing is renowned for delivering.”

Photography © Daniel Hopkinson

About SimpsonHaugh and Partners
Founded by Rachel Haugh and Ian Simpson in 1987, SimpsonHaugh and Partners (formerly Ian Simpson Architects) has compiled an impressive portfolio of award-winning projects. The practice originated from a shared belief in the power of high quality design to lead the regeneration of post-industrial cities and initiate new contemporary architectural identities.

The underlying themes of urban renewal, sustainability and design excellence unite an otherwise diverse range of building functions and solutions. Similarly, the completed work demonstrates that the practice’s regeneration objectives are equally valid whether applied to new buildings or to existing historic structures.

While the success of its completed work and a growing reputation for design integrity has allowed the practice to expand, Rachel and Ian remain personally involved in each project. Consequently, the inspiration in design and the attention to detail in construction that have stimulated the achievements of the practice so far will continue to guide the ambition and quality of its schemes in the future.

Verde Student Accommodation in Newcastle images / information received 090217

SimpsonHaugh and Partners on e-architect

Location: Newcastle upon Tyne, Northeast England, UK