Ruff Architects Unveils Guildford Plaza: A 301-Home Co-Living Haven in Surrey
Ruff Architects has unveiled Guildford Plaza, an 11,000m2 development in Surrey, featuring 301 co-living homes across four buildings. The project, a collaboration with Habito Co-Living, offers a mix of private and cluster studios, ranging from 19 to 41m2, with a range of amenities catering to young professionals.
The site, a 0.37ha brownfield site in Guildford, had been vacant for over 20 years. It was previously designed and planned by Morris+Company and Coffey Architects. After the original contractor's liquidation in 2023, Ruff Architects successfully navigated a non-material amendment (NMA) with revised designs, ensuring the project's continuity.
Guildford Plaza's design philosophy revolves around a multi-level central courtyard, surrounded by buildings with varied massing and articulated elevations. The material palette, including brick, clay tiles, and green accent details, pays homage to the site's industrial past, once home to Castle and Cannon breweries and Guildford Glass Factory.
The courtyard, accessible to the public, boasts biodiversity-rich planting inspired by the nearby River Wey. Large glazed openings connect the courtyard to internal spaces, enhancing natural lighting.
Sustainability is a key feature, with green energy systems like air-source heat pumps and a BREEAM Excellent rating. The project's annual CO2 emissions are regulated at 55.9 kgCO2eq/m2.
The homes, operated by Habito Co-Living, cater to young professionals working for local employers such as McLaren, Bentley, Royal Surrey and Nuffield hospitals, and the University Science Park. This development builds on Ruff Architects' previous work, including a 100-home retirement housing scheme for PegasusLife in 2018, and a 300+ co-living homes plan for Tiger Developments in 2022.
Paul Ruff, director of Ruff Architects, emphasizes their design-led approach, focusing on well-crafted residential schemes. John Nesbitt, managing director of Habito Co-Living, highlights the project's community-driven, luxury-living environment, attracting interest from residents across various life stages.
The project's key details include:
- Start on site: August 2023
- Completion date: August 2025
- Gross internal floor area: 11,003m2
- Site area: 0.37ha
- Form of contract or procurement route: Design and build, Contract JCT 2016
- Construction cost: Undisclosed
- Environmental performance: BREEAM Excellent rating
- Key consultants: WhitbyWood (structural engineer), James Alexander Design (interior designer), ProMEP (M&E consultant), Jenson Hughes (fire consultant), BBUK (landscape consultant), MZA Acoustics (acoustic consultant), CField Construction (principal designer), Meridian (approved building inspector)
