Cartwright
Pickard

Springfield House repurposes a Grade II listed building within a central Leeds conservation area to provide aspirational purpose built student living quarters for over 300 students.

Located in a prime position, adjacent to the University of Leeds and Leeds Teaching Hospital, Leonardo is a unique student offer, repurposing a dormant Springfield House for mixed amenity use and student accommodation. 

It unearths and restores the building's deep architectural significance to create a culturally rich student environment.

The Grade II listed Springfield House is reinstated as the focal heart of the site, formerly occupied by a cloth dresser and most recently, used for research purposes. 

It's positioned in the centre of a collegiate-style forecourt, the anchor around which responsive and quality landscaping designs emphasises existing tree lines whilst creating strong desire lines for active and safe journey to and through the site.

External amenity within the landscaped courtyards improves access to green space and together, with an array of internal amenity - equating to 2.7sqm per bedspace - provides the students with an enhanced space to study, socialise, relax and stay active.

The new build wings are complementary neighbours to the existing Springfield House, referencing subtle detailing and quality materials, whilst also designed to grow old gracefully.

Patterned detailing on perforated PPC aluminium privacy screens is inspired by historical cues around the site. Collectively, these elements contribute to and further enrich the site's distinct identity.

The building form and mass, which was extensively tested at pre-application stages using a range of physical and virtual models, intelligently responds to the context and environmental parameters for both current and future climates.

Working models produced in-house were integral to the development of the scheme throughout the pre-application stage with Leeds City Council and highly influential in the ultimate determining of the planning decision by providing a tangible reference for discussion and review. 

The final outcome responds to local student desire for more vibrant, sustainable and amenity-oriented accommodation to strike a dynamic balance between study and focus, helping students feel their best and achieve their academic goals.