HTC Architects – in collaboration with SCODD Ltd and Howell Goodfellow have submitted planning to redevelop the former Dundee college at 30 Constitution Road into purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA).
The proposal will see the redevelopment of the site into PBSA with car parking and covered cycle parking facilities. As part of the redesign, pedestrian access routes into and throughout the site have been carefully considered – to ensure safe movement throughout the scheme as well as connectivity and integration to Constitution Road and surrounding area.
The design, construction, materiality and colour palette of the buildings has been carefully considered to ensure that the scheme is both high quality in its appearance and contextually appropriate to its setting and location. To ensure a contextually appropriate scheme, the design proposes to celebrate and intelligently incorporate the original architecture of the structure – by cleaning and restoring the existing concrete frame and making this a key focal point of the design philosophy.
New life will be breathed into the existing facades via a substantial refurbishment utilising high quality glazing and contemporary rainscreen panels. Elements of the existing structure with intrinsic value will be retained, creating a sustainable future.
New extensive hard and soft landscaping provision has also been designed to ensure the site retains an aesthetic outlook – as well as to protect and enhance the visual impact around the existing landscaping. Hard landscaping will be constructed in tarmacadam and decorative permeable block paving.
Built between 1966 and 1969, the building on Constitution Road was occupied by Dundee College from 1970 to 2003. The site has two towers – a nine storey building to the East and a five storey building to the West. Both buildings were used for classrooms, and at the bottom of the East building, there was a purpose-built lecture theatre. The ground floor communal space included a gymnasium and cafeteria.
The current college building is in need of a refurbishment as it became outdated and ill-suited to the needs of students. Due to this, the college vacated the building in 2003 and since, it has continued to deteriorate.
