Client: Liverpool City Council
Architect: Planit-IE
Contractor: Keyline

Striking new look transforms student accommodation

Hardscape helped to design a stylish new student accommodation courtyard in the heart of Liverpool, advising on and supplying a variety of paving materials. Put forward by Liverpool University and the City Council, the £25million re-development project also called upon developers Worthington Properties and architects Leach Rhodes Walker together with landscape architects Planit-IE securing planning permission. 

To make way for the new Philharmonic Court, five out-dated student blocks were demolished and replaced with two Lshaped buildings that provide 354 bedrooms around an enclosed private courtyard. The look was inspired by developments that took place during the Industrial Revolution, including a rigid, grid patterned street layout designed by Corporation Surveyor John Foster, who was responsible for much of Liverpool’s Classic Revival. 

The result was a striking, striped patterned courtyard adorned in an array of Hardscape Kellen chosen in bold coloursCottrio, Giallo, Maronne, Rosso, Alpi and Bianco. The earthy tones compliment the brick buildings to create a seamless flow between the floor and walls. Several streets were created during the 19th Century to connect the growing population, reflected in the layout of the horizontal paving bands with various widths, spanning a total area of 800m2. 

A new public realm area was also created around the site, including lush greenery and an additional pedestrian route linking Caledonia Street to Falkner Street – reinstating the historic layout of the area. Several elegant Georgian town houses were also refurbished, bringing them back into use. The location is home to several busy bars and cafes, providing a popular gathering point for students and the local community to socialise. 

It was fantastic to be involved in such a significant project within the region, bringing something unique to the students of Liverpool. We helped design the detail of widths to fit material size and advised on the colour options from our Kellen range. This combined historic influences with modern landscaping techniques to create a beautiful design that residents can gaze at through their windows.

As well as producing a bold and stylish result, the paving had to be cut to exact measurements and precise angles so that when laid, the pattern remained consistent and fluid throughout.

Hardscape’s Managing Director, Mathew Haslam