Pollock Halls Consent
New Student residences - 118 rooms – by Oberlanders Architects for The University Of Edinburgh: Full Planning Application Granted 27Mar 2008

New Student Residences at Pollock Halls student campus

Planning Permission was granted last week for a new block of student residences at the Pollock Halls Campus in Edinburgh. This project, designed by Oberlanders Architects, forms part of a continuing commitment from the University of Edinburgh to provide a variety of accommodation for the University’s growing student population.



The new building is an L-shaped, 5-storey block containing 118 rooms for 146 residents - 28 twin rooms and 90 single rooms (of which 8 rooms are fully DDA compliant). The majority of the rooms have en-suite bathrooms and the top floor rooms have the added asset of private balconies and terraces.

Oberlanders’ design intends to create a semi-enclosed and semi-private courtyard garden formed by the L-shape of the new building and the existing, adjacent, Lee House and Baird House. This garden space will be accessed directly from the new building’s common room and will be a valuable asset as a recreational outdoor space used by the residents in the surrounding buildings. The main entrance of the block is on the external corner of the L-shape, facing South-West. The entrance hall will be fully glazed and when lit up at night will act as a ‘beacon’ animating a previously dark corner of the campus.



The building is designed from durable and robust high quality materials that, as far as possible, contains recycled and recyclable elements. By connecting the building to the campus’ district heating system the aim is to achieve a high BREEAM rating. The facades, simple and understated, have a buff brick base course and graphite grey ceramic cladding. The largely glazed penthouse floor terminates the building to the sky.

The project is to start on site in April 2008 and be completed for the start of the autumn term of 2009. The budget is £7M.

Pollock Halls Edinburgh - text/images from Oberlanders Architects LLP





Pollock Halls Edinburgh

Pollock Halls building: Chancellor's Court Halls of Residence, Edinburgh University


Pollock Halls, Edinburgh: image from Oberlanders Architects

Pollock Halls original buildings : William Kininmonth

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Pollock Halls context : Commonwealth Pool

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Pollock Halls context : Scottish Widows

Pollock Halls student residence : Oberlanders Architects