Student Accommodation
Riverside House, Guildford
Design in details
Riverside House represents a pivotal advancement in modular design and manufacturing.
Riverside House is a landmark modular student accommodation development in Guildford, delivered by Stelling Properties and operated by internationally renowned student living providers, Unilife. The project offers 99 luxury modular studio apartments, many with stunning views across the River Wey,
setting a new benchmark for sustainable student housing built using modern methods of construction (MMC). This flagship scheme exemplifies Stelling Properties’ fully integrated delivery model from land acquisition and modular design to installation and building operation, creating a future-ready living experience tailored to modern student needs.
Modular Design and Delivery
As part of Stelling’s ongoing commitment to innovation in offsite construction, Riverside House represented a pivotal advancement in modular design and manufacturing.
It builds on insights from the company’s first modular scheme in Winchester and pushes the boundaries of what is possible for pre-manufactured value (PMV) in the UK student housing sector.
This offsite modular system has since been adapted for additional student housing, homeless accommodation and hospitality schemes across the UK and Ireland, demonstrating its flexibility and scalability.
Key achievements include:
• Studio layouts and communal spaces co-designed with student feedback from early concept stages
• Over 80 percent PMV capability, with the structure, roof, and façade completed offsite
• Deployment of a factory-style site assembly process supported by a comprehensive Site Manual
• EPC A-rated, with high thermal and airtightness performance
• Fully compliant fire-rated facade (A2-s1, d0 classification)
Student Experience and Community Focus
Riverside House is not just a building, it is a purpose-designed environment that supports the modern student lifestyle. Engagement with students during the design phase informed everything from the colour palettes and materials to the layout and functionality of each studio, resulting in a development that puts resident needs at the heart of every detail.
The result is a vibrant, inclusive community that encourages student wellbeing, engagement and academic success, and marks a major evolution from more traditional approaches to student accommodation in Guildford.
Sustainability and Innovation
Future forward & strong environmental credentials.
A key goal for Riverside House was to deliver on environmental responsibility through a fully integrated Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA) approach. The project significantly reduced carbon emissions and material waste, aligning with Stelling’s broader commitment to low-impact modular housing.
Fabric-First Design
• High-performance building envelope with an average U-value of 0.16 W/m²K
• Carefully detailed modular junctions to reduce thermal bridging and heat loss
• Optimised solar control glazing with natural cross-corridor ventilation for improved comfort and passive cooling
Modular Efficiency
• 25 percent reduction in embodied carbon compared to traditional building methods
• Efficient structural design with a reduced floor-to-floor height of 2.775 metres, saving materials and space while maintaining 2.4 metre clear ceilings
• Decreased site traffic and reduced emissions through offsite logistics
• Factory operations for this project were carbon neutral, with all emissions offset
Circular Economy
• Modular units are designed for disassembly, supporting future reuse, relocation, or recycling
• The project introduces a replicable construction model that supports the principles of circular design and sustainable urban growth
Looking Ahead
The success of Riverside House has positioned it as a blueprint for future modular student accommodation schemes across the UK. With its exceptional energy performance, community-first design, and scalable offsite methodology, it showcases what is possible when innovation, sustainability, and user experience are placed at the centre of the construction process.
As demand for high-quality, low-carbon student housing in Guildford and beyond continues to grow, Stelling Properties remains committed to delivering modular-led developments that meet the needs of today’s and tomorrow’s students.
