Patel Taylor developed a student housing masterplan comprising 2000 units for the University of Essex and secured outline planning permission for The Copse which provides 600 student rooms.
Taking cues from the original campus masterplan, a series of long linear blocks weaves between itself to create squares and pockets of space. Two curved buildings respond to two bands of existing trees and provide a mix of individual rooms and small clusters of 3 to 4 bedroom flats with common living areas including kitchen, dining area and soft seating. The Copse creates a place that students enjoy, want to live in, study, which cultivates a shared identity and integrates student living with the University Campus.
In line with the local authority requirements, the proposed accommodation was designed to achieve a BREEAM rating of ‘Very Good’ and Green Guide ‘A’ rating for the building materials.
