Overview:
RUFFARCHITECTS have been commissioned to reconfigure and revitalise the Canto Court student accommodation scheme, located on Old Street in the heart of London’s Silicon Roundabout. The project involves a full internal and external refurbishment to modernise and reposition the building as a contemporary hub for student living.
The works are currently progressing through the third phase of the upgrade programme, which includes enhancements to the student rooms, improvements to the ground floor retail units, and sensitive interventions to the building envelope in response to the building’s location within a conservation area.

Community Impact & Value:
The refurbishment aims to create a key destination within the vibrant Old Street area, enhancing the student experience while contributing to the wider identity of London’s growing technological quarter. By improving communal and social spaces, the scheme strengthens connections between students and the surrounding community.

Technical Insights & Challenges:
The project requires a comprehensive upgrade of 164 self-contained studios, along with the redesign of shared communal areas and restaurant facilities. Balancing high-quality design with the demands of intensive use and the urban setting presents a challenge, particularly in integrating modern student lifestyle needs into the existing building structure.

Key Achievements:
The scheme sets out to deliver a transformed student accommodation offer in one of London’s most dynamic districts. Through strategic refurbishment, the development will not only improve quality of life for its residents but also reinforce the area’s status as a leading destination for education, innovation, and urban living.