Westgate One, one of our most challenging and complex projects has been independently recognised and awarded 'Best Architectural Design' at the South East Construction Awards and we couldn't be prouder.
It was a pleasure to attend the South East Construction Awards at the Amex Stadium in Brighton on Thursday, an evening that was made particularly special when OSG Architecture was announced as the winner of the Best Architectural Design award for our student accommodation project, Westgate One in Canterbury.
This recognition means a great deal to us. Westgate One was a complex and challenging project from the outset. When we were appointed, the scheme had already stalled, with the original design proving unbuildable and financially unviable. Working within a constrained brownfield site, significant heritage sensitivities and a demanding programme, the project required a complete rethink to unlock its potential.
This quote from the client at Paul Roberts & Associates sums up our approach:
"What distinguishes OSG is the balance between contextual design intelligence and robust technical delivery. The team produced architecture that responds sensitively to its historic setting while also providing a comprehensive, buildable technical package that enabled efficient construction on a constrained city centre site. This combination proved invaluable.”
Jamie Hipgrave, Technical Director, Paul Roberts Canterbury
What makes this award particularly meaningful is that it recognises not just the design outcome, but the process behind it. The success of Westgate One was built on a genuinely collaborative approach, with the client, Paul Roberts Developments, and contractor, Abbott Construction, working closely alongside our team from the start of our involvement in late 2020. There was a shared ambition to deliver something that was not only viable, but also a positive addition to the city of Canterbury.
Through that collaboration, the project has transformed a challenging and previously underused site into a vibrant student community, providing much-needed accommodation for the city’s universities while contributing to the life of the surrounding area. The design balances a sensitive response to Canterbury’s historic context with the needs of modern student living, something that required careful thought, coordination and attention to detail at every stage.
We are incredibly proud of what the wider project team has achieved and grateful to everyone involved in bringing Westgate One to completion.