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We are developing a masterplan for the university that will capitalise on the construction of a new library, students union, halls of residence, a sports faculty, miscellaneous teaching spaces & studios, a nursery and congregation hall or “Exchange”. The philosophy is to produce a “cultural” masterplan that will galvanise the different College heritages and bring them together under the university’s new cultural umbrella, a strategy in which sustainability will play a significant part.
The masterplan capitalises on the University’s unique setting adjacent to Richmond Park. The scene is set by Froebel College’s Grade II listed Grove House designed in 1792 by James Wyatt, and the surrounding four acres of listed grounds including formal gardens, lily pond, limestone terrace & grotto were all added in the C19th century, along with a lake, a sham bridge, a mausoleum and ice house. Other focal spaces are the Digby Stuart College quad and the Southlands College courtyard. The extent of green open space, woodland and the two lakes complete this fine environment.
In fact it is the landscape and public realm strategy that unifies disparate masterplanning themes such as pedestrian, cycle and vehicular movement patterns, the sites for new buildings, energy generation and the waste strategy.
The masterplan envisages a new Central Avenue or “high street” running north south linking the three Colleges. This would be lined on the east side with shops and cafes. At the north end of the Avenue, on axis with the main entrance on Roehampton Lane the drama is heightened by the siting of the new “Exchange” and library. At the southern end a new Portal connects Digby Stuart to the historic Froebel gardens. Next door, the existing service yard is transformed into new cloisters that will also link these two colleges. Our objective is to break down historic barriers between the Colleges and to reinforce connections between the historic and new landmark buildings and activities/ faculties.
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