The scheme was successfully completed on time and on budget in Sept 2020, despite the challenges brought on by Covid and lockdown.
Working as Lead Designers in the Interserve Consortium, Willmore Iles Architects developed the design in accordance with the University’s Visions and Values. Emphasising the importance of Durham Colleges as scholarly communities with a shared community life and common purpose.
College Principals attended all design development meetings to ensure the emerging design proposals were appropriate to the unique institution of a Durham College. In particular, that they were specific to the character of the John Snow College which will transfer to the Mount Oswald site from the Queens Campus.
One of the key requirements was to design two colleges that look manifestly different, but equally splendid. The colleges have an identical scope and function. So the proposals adopted radically different design strategies, forms and materials to differentiate them. One College has a formal, orthogonal layout with traditional materials, And the other has a more irregular layout, landscape treatment and facade patterns.
The resolution of these design challenges will elevate the design from halls of residence to Durham University colleges. This theme has been a continuous thread throughout the evolution of the design.
Mount Oswald, Durham University Awards and Nominations
Constructing Excellence, North East 2021
- Value – Winner
- Offsite Project of the Year – Winner
- Building of the Year – Winner
Student Accommodation Conference & Awards 2020
- University Halls of the Year – Winner
- Collaboration of the Year – Winner
- Developer of the Year – Highly Commended
Explore Offsite Awards
- Best Use of Concrete Technology – Shortlisted
- Best use of Hybrid Technology – Shortlisted
- Education Project of the Year – Shortlisted
Constructing Excellence Yorkshire & Humber
- Highly Commended for Digital Construction 2019
BIM Awards
- Project of the Year at the BIM Show Awards 2019
Construction News Awards
- Shortlisted for Project of the Year (over £50m)
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Project Team
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Willmore Iles Architects
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Andrew Iles, Tim Abram
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Structural Engineer
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Curtins Consulting Engineers
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Mechanical + Electrical Engineer
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JCP
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Planning Consultant
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Hedley Planning Services
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Landscape Architect
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DP Landscape Architecture
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Contractor
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Interserve Construction
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Contract Value
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£73,000,000
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“Positive attitude is very important but sector knowledge is absolutely critical and I’ve not come across any practice yet, that has Willmore Iles’ experience in the sector.”
Paul Ellenor, Interserve NE
