Ribbon cut on state-of-the-art student accommodation

The brand new Talybont Gate student accommodation has been officially opened in time for the new academic year.

Professor Patricia Price, Pro Vice-Chancellor, Student Experience and Academic Standards, cut the ribbon at the launch event joined by staff from Campus Services, the University's Estates Division, representatives from construction firm Balfour Beatty, the Students' Union President Elliot Howells, and Vice President for Welfare, Faraz Alauddin.

Talybont Gate is a six storey £6.4 million hall of residence that will accommodate179 undergraduate and postgraduate students. All of the bedrooms are en-suite and two bedrooms have been specifically designed to allow for wheelchair accessibility. The design also includes large communal areas with Freeview TV and Wi-Fi access and modern cooking and dining facilities on every floor.

A key feature of the building is improved security. Students will use an electronic card system to access the building and their rooms which can be quickly replaced and reprogrammed if the cards are lost.

In keeping with the University's commitment to reducing its carbon footprint, sustainability was a key consideration for the build. The project is aiming for a BREEAM (BRE Environmental Assessment Method) 'Excellent' rating, which will be confirmed later this year. Environmental features include motion sensor lighting and solar panels fitted on the roof to provide power to the building while the students are in residence that feed back into the utility grid at all other times.

Professor Price said: "I am delighted to open this new development at Talybont Gate. Cardiff University is an ambitious university which is aiming to attract high quality students at all levels; this is just one of a whole series of new and exciting developments. I'd like to pass on my thanks to the incredible team who are working tirelessly to make this happen."

Tracey Austin, Deputy Director of Residence Services, said: "It has been brilliant to be part of the project group for this new development which aims to enhance the student experience. We've listened to feedback from our students and provided more communal areas and bigger beds and showers in each of the rooms. We look forward to welcoming the new students next week."

The new building is situated in the existing Talybont North Halls of Residence complex which offers a range of social amenities and excellent sports facilities.

Talybont Gate is just one of a series of recent development projects to improve University facilities. The Students' Union building on the Cathays campus has been modernised as part of a multi-million pound redevelopment that includes a new nightclub, more social learning spaces, a new food court and refurbished reception and social areas. £13.5 million has also been invested in a new state-of-the-art Learning and Teaching Centre at the Cardiff Business School.