TECHNOLOGY CAMPUS : COOKRIDGE STREET, LEEDS

Sectors : Homes / Learning

Client : Metropolitan and District Securities Ltd

Full planning approval was obtained in March 2020 for the demolition of the existing tower and redevelopment of the existing Technology Campus site into high quality Student Residential Accommodation with ground floor commercial uses.

The scheme designs respond to the historic urban grain of the surrounding streets, which was lost through the development of the Technology Campus site (previously known as Kitson College) in the 1950s. Our design concept creates three interlinked elements reflecting the historic street pattern and graduating in height up to a 20-storey tower fronting onto Woodhouse Lane whilst respecting the civic buildings of Millennium Square.

The tower is designed to contribute to Leeds City Centre ‘way-finding markers’ as part of the strategic north-south route. The scheme also incorporates new courtyards which are characteristic of Leeds, fronting onto Cookridge Street and Vernon Street. The scheme includes four commercial units to enhance activity and natural surveillance within the area. Potential off-site highways enhancement to the public realm including street trees, repaving and repair works to the existing cobbles on Vernon Street are addressed as part of a wider landscape enhancements in conjunction with Leeds City Council.

Through our site research, we established the building saw the penning of the classic Pink Floyd song ‘See Emily Play’ by frontman Syd Barrett in 1967. In 2007 the Technology Campus unveiled a plaque recognising the historical importance of this song. Acknowledging this legacy, our proposal features a ‘sound wave’ pattern in a contemporary and abstract form, which is integrated into the restraint panels that enables occupants to have opening windows. Furthermore, the design of the public realm also echoes the soundwaves and lyrics within the courtyard paving design that runs through the entrance area connecting north and south courtyards.