Symons House is Taking Initial Inspiration from the Building’s Architecture

The brief was to create a stand-out student amenities project for London and Scottish Student Housing within their new, BTR Symons House student accommodation block in Leeds. 74 wanted the project to represent a step change away from the bright-and- cheerful approach frequently found in this sector. 

The interior design treatment was to take initial inspiration from the building’s architecture, where the materials palette references a recognisable local residential vernacular with a broadly 1930s feel, including brushed brick with a pale-yellow tone and bronzed anodised aluminium window frames.The full suite of amenity spaces includes a reception lobby, back-of-house space, study lounge, meeting rooms, library, communal kitchen, toilets, cinema room, gaming lounge and gym, as well as an 8th floor private dining room. 

The material treatment for the scheme includes bronze-finish Crittall-style doors and glazing, which respond directly to the external metalwork, plus a double-dado rail treatment that further ties into the door and window levels. Large, rectangular lighting rafts in bronze-painted timber continue the metallic allusions. The colour palette features neutral colours throughout with subtle, darker highlight areas in browns, greys, deep blues and olive greens. 

Planting is also incorporated throughout, though in an unregimented way to ensure the space has a relaxing and non-corporate feel. Lighting design, the choice of furniture and accessories help create more intimate pockets of space in key areas, such as the lounge with its brick-slip fireplace and wall-art and the luxurious kitchen and library areas. 74 also created the project’s branding and wayfinding.

Project Information

Architect: 74