Alumno named Student Accommodation Developer of the Year

The recently opened Béton House in Sheffield built by Kier, which offers unique self-contained townhouses, two and four-bed flats and studio accommodation for 356 students, secured Alumno Developer of the Year at this year’s prestigious Property Week Student Accommodation Awards.

The third phase of the regeneration of the iconic brutalist landmark Park Hill, Béton House was designed by South Yorkshire architects Whittam Cox. Alumno also worked with a series of artists to animate the communal indoor and outdoor areas.

Overseen by curator Matthew Jarratt, Sheffield’s first poet laureate was commissioned to write poems about Park Hill, a Park Hill font has been produced, and the renowned designer Ben Kelly created the interior of the communal areas. Artist Martin Gray also made a short film featuring those involved in the construction.

“This was a thoughtful submission,” commented the judges, “involving regeneration and the integration of students within the community, using designers to refresh an iconic building – an interesting theme that hasn’t been explored in previous years.”

Responding to the award, the delighted Alumno Managing Director, David Campbell, said:

“What a fantastic end to a very challenging year! It’s great that the judges were so impressed with the work we’ve done at Béton House, Park Hill in Sheffield and also acknowledge the work Alumno has undertaken over many years. We would like to thank everyone who worked with us on the scheme to make it such a success, including contractor Kier, Whittam Cox Architects, Urban Splash, Ben Kelly Design, Brinkworth, Tatham Studio, Graphic Thought Facility, and of course Homes for Students who are doing a great job looking after the students in this strange year. Many congratulations to all those who were shortlisted in what has been a difficult year.”

Alumno also opened Benedict’s Gate student residence in Norwich in September and was recently granted planning permission to develop student accommodation on Whitelock Street in Leeds.