Oaklands College – The Homestead

Conceived as a contemporary interpretation of a traditional farmstead, the development forms a cluster of buildings around a shared communal ‘farmhouse’, creating a distinct residential environment within the wider college campus. The scheme supports student wellbeing and independence while strengthening the sense of community within the campus setting. 

Located adjacent to the main teaching facilities, the building establishes a dedicated residential environment within the campus landscape. Communal kitchens, shared lounges and social learning areas are combined with on-site support accommodation to create a safe and supportive setting for students living away from home. 

Set within the College’s landscaped grounds, the scheme strengthens the sense of campus community while providing high-quality accommodation that supports student wellbeing, independence and day-to-day campus life. 

The Homestead will form part of the wider transformation of Oaklands College’s St Albans campus, a long-term masterplan that will evolve the site from a fragmented collection of teaching buildings into a more cohesive, student-focused environment. Historically developed from a former estate and agricultural college, the campus has lacked dedicated residential provision, with student life largely centred around daytime teaching activities. 

Positioned adjacent to the main teaching facilities, the homestead creates a distinct yet connected living environment that supports a broader campus experience. Drawing on the site’s rural heritage through its farmstead-inspired arrangement, the scheme will integrate contemporary student accommodation into the evolving masterplan, contributing to a more balanced, inclusive and community-focused campus. 

The design concept draws on the site’s agricultural heritage and rural setting, interpreting the idea of a traditional farmstead within a contemporary campus environment. The accommodation is arranged as a group of buildings around a shared communal “farmhouse”, creating a recognisable centre for student life. 

Three wings of accommodation form a series of two and three storey buildings that frame shared spaces and external areas. This arrangement balances privacy and community: individual rooms provide personal space while shared kitchens and living areas encourage social interaction and informal learning. 

The architectural language responds to the Green Belt setting through a restrained palette of robust materials including brick, timber and slate. The scale, massing and materiality reference agricultural buildings, allowing the development to sit comfortably within the wooded campus landscape while establishing a clear identity for the residential quarter