St Edmund Hall opens 127-room student accommodation block

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 16 Oct, 16:32 · Archive

St Edmund Hall at Oxford University has officially opened Norham St Edmund, a 127-bedroom student accommodation block on Norham Gardens in North Oxford. The college began the project three years ago and officially opened the completed buildings on Friday, October 2.

The development comprises three new Passivhaus certified buildings named the Willis Building, Ashton House and Elliot House, along with a low-carbon retrofit of Dunabin Lodge, an 1874 Victorian villa. St Edmund Hall is the first Oxford college to build Passivhaus certified student accommodation in the city. The certification requires exceptional performance in areas including insulation, airtightness, manufacture, heating and cooling, energy efficiency, glazing and ventilation.

These measures significantly reduce energy demand. The three new buildings have 70 per cent lower energy demand than typical modern buildings, and the college says the design creates 'climate-resilient' accommodation. Principal Professor Baroness Willis, CBE, FRS, described seeing the new building open as giving her 'enormous pride'.

How it is being reported

• Oxford University college opens 127-room new student accommodationSt Edmund Hall of Oxford University have officially opened 127 new student bedrooms at Norham St Edmund, a 'once-in-a-generation' development.Oxfordshire Guardian · 16 Oct, 16:00
• Oxford University college opens 127-room new student accommodationSt Edmund Hall of Oxford University have officially opened 127 new student bedrooms at Norham St Edmund, a 'once-in-a-generation' development.Oxford Mail · 16 Oct, 16:00

In this story: St Edmund Hall · Oxford University · Baroness Willis · North Oxford · Norham Gardens

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