UK student accommodation provider Liberty Living has commissioned Derbyshire-based WCEC Architects' to critically review its amenity and social space provision within its student accommodation portfolio.

The design and delivery team at WCEC has also been instructed to proceed with detailed designs and planning applications for pilot schemes in Newcastle, Southampton, Manchester and Liverpool.

Liberty Living's chief operating officer John Kenny said: "As an established operator of one of the largest portfolios of purpose-built student accommodation, we recognise the importance of evolving the provision of dedicated amenity spaces for our residents.

"The spaces we are creating will be multi-functional and allow our residents to enjoy an improved sense of community and social experience, with facilities such as social lounges, different types of study spaces, media rooms, games rooms, gymnasiums and private dining rooms."

Nick Riley, Board Director at WCEC Architects said of the project: "We have been on a collaborative journey with Liberty Living for some time to understand where the marketplace is now, including facilities found on campus at universities, and in considering the future needs of residents also."

WCEC is looking to design facilities which will become the new central focus for larger sites, making them a desirable destination for students, which they will want to use.

It's anticipated the project will take 2-3 years to complete, with roughly half of the portfolio being assessed. Work is due to begin on the first five schemes in 2017.