Project overview
Set amid mature woodland on the slopes of Headington Hill, the redevelopment of Clive Booth Student Village advances Oxford Brookes University’s long-term campus vision. This phased masterplan delivers 1,350 quality student rooms, weaving living, learning and landscape into a cohesive whole.
MICA Architects shaped twelve new accommodation blocks to follow the site’s natural contours. The buildings cascade gently through the tree-lined hillside, framing a sequence of landscaped outdoor rooms. This sensitive placement nurtures a sense of place grounded in ecology and community.
Brickwork defines the architectural expression, drawing from the Freshfield Lane palette. Selected Dark, Lindfield Yellow, Selected Light and First Quality Multi bricks appear in varied combinations, reflecting the site’s diverse forms, colours and textures. Warm oranges and reds mingle with deep purples and browns, capturing light that changes with the seasons. Sandfaced finishes provide a tactile robustness, marrying durability with timeless appeal. These bricks were chosen for their rich aesthetics and ability to harmonise with the woodland tones.
The master plan encourages sociable, active student living. Clusters of buildings offer a range of communal spaces, indoors and outdoors, to support wellbeing and foster interaction. En-suite rooms sit alongside shared kitchens, lounges and study areas, while courtyards and sloping gardens provide places for informal gathering or quiet reflection.
Sustainability lies at the project’s core. The buildings adhere to Passivhaus principles, adopting a fabric-first approach to maximise thermal efficiency, energy conservation and long-term flexibility. Material choices and construction methods were evaluated to minimise embodied carbon, setting a new standard for low-impact student accommodation.
By delivering much-needed housing close to campus, the development supports Oxford’s wider housing objectives. It eases demand on the private rental sector and promotes sustainable travel. Students enjoy immediate access to university facilities, while the wider community benefits from the university’s dedication to sensitive, high-quality design.
Clive Booth Student Village stands as a thoughtful response to the challenges of density, sustainability and belonging, setting a benchmark for student living.
