Oxford Brookes University commissioned a design competition for the £20 million redevelopment of this prime residential campus, which is situated in a conservation area overlooking the City of Oxford. The existing site density of 450 bed spaces had to be increased to 750 and be capable of obtaining planning permission in a city where its heritage is of over-riding concern. The short-term loss of bed spaces had to be kept to the minimum. GSS were selected from the final shortlist of four after an intensive competition, which included a number of other well-respected practices.