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Robert Gordon University students set testing challenge

ARCHITECTURE students from Aberdeen’s Robert Gordon University were today challenged to create a vision of how the accommodation needs of corporate tenants could be met in the future.

Stonehouse Property, based in Bon Accord House on Riverside Drive, has joined forces with the Scott Sutherland School of Architecture and Built Environment to run a student project.

They have been set the task of designing plans for hypothetical apartments to house visiting oil workers in the city’s West End.

The 55 second year students, working in teams of three, will plan and design theoretical buildings on one of the three sites in the Rubislaw Gardens area that would look to meet the demand for high-end accommodation for workers on short-term contracts in the area.

Neil Lamb, senior lecturer at the school believes the project offers the students a valuable insight into working with a real client.

“The University is delighted to be working with such a progressive company as Stonehouse Property on this innovative project,” he said.

“It has real relevance to the city and for the professionals living and working here. This is the sort of live project students will encounter in their working lives after graduation.

“They are all relishing the challenge ahead and we’re looking forward to seeing their ideas and concepts take shape in the coming weeks.”

The project will involve students coming up with an outline for their prospective apartment building, developing the interior concept and presenting their ideas to the directors of Stonehouse Property.

There will be a final design presentation in January where the group with the best design overall will be awarded with a prize.

Stonehouse Property managing director Ross Murray is a firm believer in nurturing creative ideas through academia deeming it highly important not just for the students but businesses as well.

“The oil and gas market forms a key strand of our core business so this project is of particular relevance to us and will allow the students to build up some practical experience of pitching an idea to real life companies,” he said.

“This project will really add to the students’ academic learning and is a great opportunity for them to showcase their skills and architectural flair.”

Neil continued: “The students really benefit from live client projects which adds another dimension to their learning experience.

“It’s great that companies like Stonehouse Property are willing to partner up with the University and we look forward to building on this relationship in the future.”

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