Imperial’s new student accommodation opens its doors to over 400 freshers

Southside

Meet one of the first students to move in - <em>News</em>

Monday 8 October 2007
By Naomi Weston

Arriving at 8am on Saturday 29 September, first year civil engineering student, Orestis Adamou, from Cyprus, was one of the first students to move into the new Southside halls of residence at Imperial.

After an emotional farewell with his parents, how has Orestis settled in to his new life at Imperial College and what are his first impressions of the new state of the art halls of residence?

Orestis settles into his new roomSitting in his spacious, brand new en suite bedroom, Orestis explains: "I always wanted to come to England and study. Imperial College is one of the best universities for civil engineering."

He is very impressed with the facilities of Keogh Hall, part of Southside halls of residence. "My bedroom and living area here is much better than what I expected. My room is big and the location is excellent." He adds: "It is one of the more expensive options for accommodation but it is definitely worth it. The halls are ultra modern and extremely safe with swipe card access and security cameras."

Orestis added: "The wardens here are very friendly and approachable which helps students settle in."

The accommodation is packed with modern gadgets and green elements. The communal kitchens are equipped with recyclable waste cupboards and energy saving lights which are activated by someone entering the room.

In addition, each cupboard and fridge in the kitchen has lockable, individual compartments. There is also a communal games room with table tennis facilities.

Orestis is enjoying the social elements of living in halls. "It is a self catering hall and about eight of us share a kitchen. Cooking and sitting in the kitchen, which all have TVs, is a great opportunity to mingle and socialise and also it is a chance to have a break from your studies."

Communal kitchens "I am lucky enough to know someone two doors down in my hall," said Orestis, "he is a friend from school." He added: "But I am excited about meeting new people in my hall and on my course, I want to broaden my horizons as much as possible during my time here."

Orestis has already joined the College Choir and has enjoyed the highlights of Freshers’ Week including going to the Freshers’ Ball.

All new students are receiving a 25% discount on their first months rent as the halls were not completely finished by the weekend. For example some shelves and fixtures still needed to be put up in study bedrooms.

Southside comprises three halls which are Tizard Hall, Selkirk Hall and Falmouth Keogh Hall. In total the three halls will accommodate 413 students in single and twin en suite study bedrooms. The new residences have been designed more efficiently at a lower height than the old halls. Southside will also contain a medical and dental centre and a student social space which will provide a venue for each hall to host social events.

These new halls have been built on the old Southside site, which were originally constructed in 1963. They were knocked down in the summer of 2005 and have taken over two years to build.

Currently the demolition of Eastside is taking place which is following on from the success of Southside. This is part of the Prince’s Gardens Restoration Project which aims to provide improved amenities for students, local residents and visitors. The College aims to provide accommodation for as many undergraduates as possible within a 15 minute walk of the South Kensington Campus.

For a history of Southside in the making watch a video of the bottoming out ceremony celebrating the start of work - bottoming out ceremony

Watch the Rector lay the final piece of concrete at the topping out ceremony - topping out ceremony

 
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