Case study Seren Case Study

Seren is a 17-storey tower development providing modern student accommodation and commercial spaces in the centre of Swansea. Located on Mariner Street, Swansea, opposite Swansea rail station, it is part of the Council’s regeneration project to revitalise the high street and city centre.

The project helps meet the increased demands for student accommodation resulting from the expansion of the city’s two universities

Seren contains 780 student bed spaces across a range of different sized apartments and studios, as well as a courtyard and social space on the first floor. The ground floor comprises various commercial retailers including a Tesco Express as well as the student reception point. It offers a number of social spaces for the students to enjoy, including a sports centre, a cinema room, a gaming room, a private dining area, an internal courtyard and student study spaces.

The new development is a landmark, both for those arriving by train and as part of the new city skyline.

A considerable part of the massing is clad in Forterra’s Carsington Cream, a hand-made, low water absorbency brick. This was to create a lighter but textured form, and to provide contrast with the black bricks used to separate the built elements and to provide a solid base for the tower.