GRAHAM has officially commenced construction on a major purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) scheme at the University of Bath, marking a major milestone in the delivery of one of the UK’s largest sustainable student accommodation developments.
Representatives from GRAHAM joined senior university leaders, project partners and members of the project team at a groundbreaking ceremony on the University’s Claverton Down campus to celebrate the start of construction.
When complete in 2028, the development will provide 926 new student bedspaces and associated amenities, enabling more first-year undergraduate students to live on the University’s main campus with easy access to teaching, support services and the wider student community.
Located on the eastern edge of the campus, the accommodation will comprise a mix of en-suite cluster flats and townhouse-style living, alongside a range of facilities designed to support student wellbeing and campus life. These will include communal kitchens and social spaces, study areas, a games room, laundry facilities and accessible, flexible spaces for use throughout the academic year.
Designed to Passivhaus standards, the development will incorporate high levels of energy efficiency and aligns with the University’s commitment to sustainability. The buildings will utilise a fabric-first approach alongside air source heat pumps to reduce operational carbon, improve thermal comfort and enhance indoor air quality for residents.
Procured through the Southern Construction Framework (SCF), the project has seen GRAHAM work in partnership with the University of Bath from the early design and pre-construction stages through to the start of construction.
During the pre-construction phase, representatives from the University visited GRAHAM’s Weavers’ Hall development at Queen’s University Belfast, the largest Passivhaus-certified student accommodation scheme on the island of Ireland, and the first in Belfast. The visit provided valuable insight into GRAHAM’s experience delivering large-scale Passivhaus student accommodation and helped inform the approach to the University of Bath’s project.
Pat O’Hare, Regional Director at GRAHAM, said:
Breaking ground on this landmark development represents a significant milestone in our partnership with the University of Bath and the culmination of extensive collaboration during the pre-construction phase.
Student accommodation is an area where we’ve developed real depth of expertise, from the scale of Weavers’ Hall in Belfast to campus schemes across the UK, and Passivhaus is increasingly at the heart of that work. We’re proud to be bringing that experience to Bath as construction gets underway on a development that will enhance the student experience while supporting the university’s ambitious sustainability goals.
Professor Ghazwa Alwani-Starr, Chief Operating Officer at the University of Bath, said:
Breaking ground on this development marks an important milestone for the University and everyone who has contributed to bringing the project to this stage.
This development reflects our long-term commitment to investing in an outstanding student experience while creating a sustainable campus for the future. I’d like to thank our colleagues and project partners whose expertise and collaboration have made this achievement possible.
The groundbreaking marks the start of an ambitious programme that GRAHAM will deliver in partnership with the University of Bath, creating modern, low-carbon accommodation that enhances the student experience while setting new standards for sustainable student living.