Delivering low-energy student accommodation in the heart of Oxford
THE ASPIRATION
Future-ready student living
To support its long-term growth strategy, St Peter’s College wanted to expand its student accommodation provision with a high-quality, sustainable development. The goal was to create 54 new undergraduate study bedrooms, primarily for second-year students, in a central Oxford location. Situated beside the historic Oxford Castle, the Castle Bailey Quad site offered the ideal opportunity, but also presented design, planning and heritage complexities that demanded careful navigation.
OUR RESPONSE
Cost Management that delivers value
Working alongside a multidisciplinary team including Design Engine, Gray Baynes & Shew, Eckersley O’Callaghan and QODA Consulting, we provided full Cost Management services throughout the development. Our role included leading a value engineering exercise that secured the best value for the college while respecting the sensitive site context.
Working closely with the contractor, we introduced buildability input into the façade design, helping refine the specification of the brickwork and roof coverings. Managing this process end-to-end, we ensured cost efficiency without compromising architectural integrity or performance.
The site’s proximity to heritage assets required extensive consultation with Oxford City Council and Historic England, as well as on-site archaeological allowances – all of which added layers of coordination and cost planning that we proactively managed.
THE RESULT
Award-winning design built for performance
Completed in 2023, the 2,100 square metre development delivers 54 high-quality study bedrooms across two buildings, designed to meet the Passivhaus Institute Low Energy Building standard. Features include triple glazing, enhanced thermal insulation, airtight construction and energy-efficient ventilation. The project won ‘Student Accommodation Project of the Year’ at the Education Property Trust Awards, recognising its excellence in sustainable design and student living.
THE LASTING IMPACT
Sustainable spaces that support student success
Castle Bailey Quad provides a future-focused, energy-efficient living environment that enhances the student experience and strengthens the college’s residential offering. Delivered on budget and to high environmental standards, it supports St Peter’s long-term ambition for growth while preserving the rich historic fabric of central Oxford. The development creates a welcoming and sociable space for students, with landscaped courtyards and communal areas designed to foster connection and wellbeing.
Find out more about our Cost Management expertise
