Friary House, Cardiff
Student Accommodation
Bridging heritage and modernity.
Project Description
The Friary House project is an exciting initiative aimed at enhancing student accommodation in Cardiff while embracing modern living standards tailored for a diverse student community. This vibrant development will feature 585 beds designed specifically for Purpose Built Student Accommodation (PBSA), along with lively commercial units on the ground floor, creating community spaces that students and local residents can enjoy together.
Nestled on historic Greyfriars Road, which dates back to the late 13th century, this project breathes new life into an area that once housed a 1970s office and a nightclub. Its prime location is just a short 10-minute walk from Cardiff University Union and the bustling city centre, making it perfect for students. The surrounding area showcases an attractive mix of architectural styles, both historical and modern, presenting a unique opportunity to blend the new development harmoniously with the existing urban tapestry.
Details of Our Involvement
We were initially engaged to create high-quality visual content that would assist in gaining planning approval and support marketing efforts for the new student accommodation. Our services included the preparation of nine verified view montages (VVMs) from various key locations around the site, including vantage points overlooking municipal buildings and views from Cardiff Castle.
Following the VVMs, our expertise was called upon to create four marketing CGIs: three that replicated initial draft views from ECE Westworks and one nighttime hero image. As the design evolved, we collaborated closely with Colico Living to produce an additional rooftop CGI to further promote the scheme’s appeal to prospective users.
Project Highlights
The CGI images we created were crucial tools for marketing and securing stakeholder approval. Our collaboration with the architect was essential in ensuring that every detail of the building’s finishes was accurately portrayed. The integration of authentic textures and materials added depth and realism, fostering trust and enthusiasm among stakeholders.
Location
- Greyfriars Road, Cardiff
Client
- Colico Living
Collaborators
Topland Group
ECE Westworks
Tir Collective Landscape Architects
Montagu Evans
Friary House CGI Day Rear
Friary House CGI Day Terrace
Results
We enhanced the imagery by adapting it for nighttime scenes, allowing us to showcase the development in a different light. The vibrant lighting effects and atmospheric details helped potential clients envision themselves in the space, engaging them on a more emotional level. Ultimately, these CGIs played an instrumental role in conveying the vision of the development, making it an indispensable part of the marketing strategy and contributing significantly to its successful reception in the market,
One of the standout elements of the project was the nighttime hero CGI, which received substantial attention on social media, becoming a popular post shared by Renderbox, amplifying its visibility.
Conclusion
The VVM and CGI outputs played a crucial role in gaining planning permission and enhancing public understanding of the project’s design and its sensitivity to the area’s heritage. They also served as essential marketing tools that captured the attention and interest of both community members and prospective residents alike.
The Friary House development on Greyfriars Road stands as a positive example of collaboration, innovative design, and effective visual communication in contemporary urban projects. By prioritising community engagement and using our visuals to weave compelling narratives, the project navigated the complexities of securing planning approval while celebrating the area’s rich historical context.
