£9.1 million Dominion student block 'one of best buildings in Bristol'

A £9.1m student accommodation block has been awarded a prestigious prize for its design and the positive contribution it has made to the surrounding area, by the city of Bristol’s Civic Society.

Developed and managed by Dominion Housing Group, Woodland Court is one of eight new buildings to be praised by the Society for its benefits to the community and the local area.

Now in its 15th year, the competition saw winners picked for their quality, originality and positive community impact, by members of the Society and the public. The winners included a combination of new developments and restored/converted buildings.

Built on the former site of the University sports hall – with a section retained for refurbishment – the scheme contains 200 ensuite rooms in a highly desirable location, close to the University.

It combines high quality accommodation with a wide range of facilities, including low-cost internet access, fully furnished kitchens and a lively common room.

Last year, Woodland Court became the first student scheme in Bristol to be awarded ‘Secured by Design’ accreditation by the police after special crime prevention and security measures were used in its construction.

Ben Laryea, Director of Housing Initiatives at Dominion Housing Group, said: “We’re delighted that Woodland Court has won this award, especially as it was voted for by local residents.

“It’s a real testament to how far student housing has come: it’s a well-designed and properly maintained hall of residence that’s specifically tailored to meet the needs of the students, whilst taking into account the sensitivities of the local area.”

Charles Fox of the Bristol Civic Society, said: "These are the sorts of buildings we would want to live in ourselves and they are the kind of construction we would like to see around the city.

“We are talking about buildings which are very well-designed and fit into their streetscape and the local environment.”

Completed in 2005, Woodland Court was developed in partnership with the University of Bristol, Bristol City Council, Alex French Architects, and Sir Robert McAlpine building contractors.