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 L–shaped 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 colours; Cottrio, 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.
