City
urbanest City
35 Vine Street
London
EC3N 2PX
In 2021 we opened our second community in the heart of the City of London – an mixed-use scheme that transformed a historic site into one of the most exciting student communities in London. Comprising 645 student beds and 12 floors of flexible office space, urbanest City is an award-winning development.
What makes the development truly unique however is the three-storey atrium in the basement that showcases a 2,000-year-old section of roman wall that was discovered behind a wall in an old photocopier room. The footings to one of the bastions positioned along the wall were also uncovered. Another bastion location was uncovered, however English Heritage allowed this to be re-covered – it will be excavated in full in 100 years time.
The atrium now houses a dedicated museum and exhibition space created in partnership with the Museum of London as well as a coffee shop operated by speciality coffee roasters, Senzo.
We used modern modular construction methods to expedite the build around the ancient wall, which significantly reduced waste generation and enhanced the use of recycles materials which decrease overall embodied carbon.
Other notable environmental features of the property include the façade’s solar shading which reduces cooling loads and the planted roof areas that enhance biodiversity and rainwater run-off. The roof also features a solar photovoltaic system.
The contemporary, bespoke artwork commissioned to brighten up the walls of the building provide the finishing touch to a truly unique student community.
