This 492 bed student accommodation scheme, which the client branded ‘the best student apartments in Exeter’, is located on a site formerly occupied by James Townsend printers, a history reflected in its name: The Printworks. Set on the busy Western Way within walking distance of Exeter University’s main campus and the City centre, the site is ideally located to attract both domestic and international students. Following our appointment we engaged in detailed discussions with the local authority who were supportive of our contemporary design and our use of locally influenced materials. The challenging urban site is next to a number of existing buildings and has a 7m fall over its length. To make best use of this change of level, we worked with our landscape team to design a courtyard that maximises the internal perimeter of the building, allowing as many bedrooms as possible to be included. Working with our interiors team, we used a ‘better than’ approach to the design of the internal spaces. We hosted a series of client and student workshops during the design process to identify current and future trends, leading to the inclusion of a range of facilities and services such as a cinema room, well-equipped gym and an on-site café.