Winning Team and Designs for LSE Bankside Student Accommodation Competition Revealed 

A joint submission by architects Carmody Groarke and Sheppard Robson is the winning scheme for London School of Economics and Political Science’s (LSE) ‘Bankside’ competition, delivering affordable student accommodation with development partner Bouygues UK and Equitix.  

The architectural partnership was amongst a shortlist of six competition teams and has been chosen to take their designs forward to deliver what aspires to be the ‘best university halls of residence in London’. There will be a particular design emphasis on sustainability, health, student wellbeing and affordability. 

Image credit: Carmody Groarke/Sheppard Robson

Taking the place of the existing Bankside House student accommodation building located behind Tate Modern, the design is developed around the idea of three ‘houses’. The accommodation will target a provision of up to 2,000-beds, grouped into three communities of around 650 students, housed in individual buildings. The three ‘houses’ are connected at the lower floors and via garden terraces. 

The creation of three blocks and the distribution of social and amenity space within each building aims to break down student numbers into manageable clusters, helping the formation of communities and providing a ‘sense of home’ in each.  

Carmody Groarke and Sheppard Robson’s winning design carefully considered the brief in a stand-out way whilst offering flexibility and the opportunity to provide an efficient space that still satisfies the full brief. 

Image credit: Carmody Groarke/Sheppard Robson

With one front door ‘welcoming all’, orientated towards both the LSE campus and Tate Modern, the design strengthens the connections between key institutions whilst leaning on a ‘living room’ entrance concept and creating an environment that prioritises a positive living experience with comfort and convenience.  

Image credit: Filippo Bolognese Images

The scheme set targets of Passivhaus certification and LETI standards as well as WELL Standard and BREEAM Outstanding, which will be developed in the next stages of design.  

Julian Robinson, Director of Estates at LSE, commented:  

This is the first time LSE has run a design competition with development partners and I’m delighted the School’s record of procuring outstanding architecture has been maintained. The new Bankside will be an extension of our world class estate and exceptional student experience.”

Ian Spencer, Director of Residential and Catering Services at LSE, added: 

I am excited about the enormous potential of the redevelopment of Bankside House and pleased to be a part of it. The approach to providing affordable accommodation across three houses will allow our Residential Life programme to create lasting communities amongst LSE students and with ample amenity space, including a restaurant and garden terraces, we are providing our students with excellent spaces to live, work and socialise. Outside of student term time we are looking to continue our LSE Summer School programme and to strengthen our relationships with educational groups who have been visiting Bankside House over many years. 

Ben Leech, Managing Director, Investments at Equitix, commented: 

We are delighted to confirm Carmody Groarke and Sheppard Robson as the preferred design team for the LSE Bankside Residences Project, which will be delivered in partnership with Equitix and Bouygues UK. We have been impressed with the quality of submissions received with outstanding contributions on student experience, sustainability and design across the board. We are grateful for the time, effort and innovation demonstrated by all the teams and we look forward to working closely with the winning designers over the coming years to deliver this exciting flagship scheme.

Phillippa Prongué, Bouygues UK’s Managing Director for London and the South East said: 

Alongside LSE, we are delighted with the outcome of the design competition and thrilled to reach this crucial milestone in our long-term partnership with the School. The winning design truly embodies our shared vision for the development and aligns with our commitment to creating sustainable and inclusive spaces. We are looking forward to bringing this exceptional design to life and seeing the positive impact it will have on the lives of the LSE students and the broader community.

In a joint statement, Carmody Groarke and Sheppard Robson commented: 

We are delighted that our team has been selected to develop designs for LSE Bankside residences. We look forward to working with our new clients to create a design that fits well with its prominent Southbank location and where students can live well together in high-quality accommodation close to the LSE campus.