NMU GEORGE STUDENT HOUSING
This Nelson Mandela University (NMU) student housing project required 200 new beds to serve the George campus.
As with all projects, a design was required to achieve a cost-effective building solution, yet at the same time provide students with the best possible accommodation.
Architectural principals like placemaking and adapting were applied — by turning the spaces between buildings into courtyards and using tactile material textures, colours and focal points of the buildings themselves to promote positivity and interaction between students.
Prior to this project, DMV Architecture was involved in the production of a detailed specification document with the possibility of being rolled out by NMU across all new student housing projects.
During this process, a typical unit typology evolved and formed the building blocks of this student housing project in George. Each unit consists of 8 bedrooms with common ablution, shower and kitchen amenities creating an apartment-style living (opposed to your standard outdated dormitory).
Students are encouraged to take on a sense of ownership of their particular room that then engages with the apartment and the overall scheme as a whole.
PROJECT DETAILS:
Client – Nelson Mandela University
Completion date – November 2020
Project type – Public Residential / Institutional
Photography – Ray Truter Photography
LOCATION
George, Western Cape
The Nelson Mandela University campus in George is set at the foot of the Outeniqua Mountains, surrounded by indigenous forest and fynbos that create a calm, inspiring setting for learning. Reflecting a commitment to sustainability, the campus blends naturally with its environment and is known for its focus on nature based studies, forestry, conservation and business management, offering a rare balance of academic excellence and connection to the landscape.