Roehampton University

A re-activated collegiate campus set within historic landscape

GROSS. MAX. worked on several landscape projects integrating new buildings into the grade II historic landscape setting of the University of Roehampton. Henley Halebrown architects were responsible for the 2010 campus master plan. Due to amalgamation of an eccentric collection of historic and institutional buildings of different styles and qualities the varied campus has a charming character but also has become confused and fragmented. The aim was to bring a restraint calm and sense of structure and use the landscape ‘country house aesthetic’ to immediate and unite Georgian, Edwardian, Queen Anne revival and modernist. Our deceivingly modest landscape proposals -from master plan to site design - reconcile the classical sensibilities of the new inserted university buildings designed by Henley Halebrown, MJP and Fielden Clegg Bradley Studios with the informal picturesque ambiance of the historic estate landscape.  Great care has taken in the incorporation of existing trees, green swards, historic artifacts and ornamental lake. The ensemble of buildings has been grouped around a new college green with resonance of Oxford and Cambridge.  A series of precincts and gardens offering a real sense of student community.   According to architect Simon Henley of Henley Halebrown: “This is a project more about landscape than about architecture”.   As always, GROSS. MAX.  has some satisfaction in putting architecture in its rightful place: on the crossroad between the classical and the contemporary bound by the very English idea of the picturesque.

The proposals were developed in working close collaboration with Head of Estates as well regular presentations to the Chancellor of the University of Roehampton, The University Executive Board (UEB) as well representation of Student Union.

Below is a comment from the RIBA panel assessing the design of the Stirling Prize nominated Chadwick Hall,

“This is a good example of timeless architecture. It is inspiring while remaining simple. The scheme’s success is also based on a skilful master plan with sensitive arrangement of the blocks within the landscape, existing listed building and the restored sunken garden. The design becomes a backdrop for the listed building and the sunken garden. It gives them the importance and provides a setting for social gathering.”