The University’s colourful University Square accommodation has been commended in the hotly contested Southend Design Awards.

These awards, organised annually by Southend-on-Sea Borough Council, recognise
and encourage excellence in local development.

Designed by Stephen Marshall Architects, University Square, which provides 561 study bedrooms in brightly coloured blocks around a central courtyard, opened in 2010 at the Southend Campus.

It was commended in the new build category of the awards, which were judged by representatives of the Council, Royal Institute of British Architects, Royal Town Planning Institute, Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and a local conservation society.

The judges described it as “a unique building that has become a new landmark for
the town centre” and, in particular, praised the internal courtyard environment.