University College Durham

At the end of this commission it was decided to progress the works in the Castle as a first priority, with a view to coming back to Hatfield College in following years.

The project works in the Castle were to be delivered in two tightly constrained phases of building works.  The first phase was to be carried out over the summer of 2011 and prioritised the common parts of the building, including the Great Hall, the kitchen and the associated servery facilities.  This was to be completed in time for the end of the summer vacation in 2011 so that the Castle could fulfil its’ function as the centre of life for members of University College.

The second phase then ran to the end of the Christmas vacation period in January 2012 and included the refurbishment of student accommodation in Hall Stairs, Junction Stair and in the Keep.  This phase of the project was intended to form new en-suite accommodation, where possible and improved communal facilities where the form of the historic building precluded the preferred approach.  It was also intended to introduce common spaces in each discrete area with a view to enhancing the sense of community in student accommodation.

Additionally, the refurbished student accommodation was designed to a standard which was also appropriate to private letting of accommodation during holiday periods.