Plans to upgrade the current substandard and outdated student rooms at East Durham College’s Houghall Campus were approved by Durham County Council in 2016. An additional 198 student rooms will be provided within a new purpose built student accommodation block on their Houghall Campus. The plans also include the refurbishment of Weardale House, built in 1938, to provide a further 24 student beds.

Working alongside Day Architectural, particular care and attention has been taken with the architectural and landscape design to ensure the proposals don’t adversely affect its environmentally sensitive setting. Located within an area of high landscape value and green belt, careful site planning will minimise the potential impact of the proposals on the landscape quality and appearance of the AHLV and will respect the character of the landscape setting.

Also located within the River Wear floodplain, footpath levels and building access points have been carefully arranged and sufficiently elevated to mitigate flood risk while providing attractive pathways through the landscape. Flanked by wildflower meadows, native planting and a mini arboretum, the landscape has been designed to create a biodiverse and habitat rich setting for the enjoyment of the students and visitors alike.

Coming soon

client: jansons
architect: DAY architectural
engineer: shed