Walter Dyer Student Accommodation

Student wellbeing and pastoral care were among the driving factors influencing Chow:Hill’s refurbishment of a Massey University 1960s student accommodation hall.

With student interaction a priority, the Chow:Hill team re-lifed the Walter Dyer Hall of Residence, creating open shared spaces and socially-engaging environments, thus enhancing the student experience.

Realigning the residence entranceway to connect with the wider campus, Chow:Hill undertook a complete renovation of all four floors, to a four-star Qualmark rating, reconfiguring space to achieve consolidated social areas.

For consistency of design, and to support positive student socialising, communal common rooms, study spaces and student amenities were incorporated into each floor. Interior timber panelling and acoustic treatment of the refurbished structures supported a vibrant interior aesthetic, achieved through the use of bold colour, internal graphics and artwork.

A fast-track design, consent and construction process ensured the entire project was completed within one semester, thereby minimising disruption to university accommodation services.

*Brief developed in collaboration with Massey University and Campus Living.