Cheadle College campus redevelopment celebrates structural completion
Key milestone for major college revamp in Cheadle
Extends presence in universities sector with over £250m of work being delivered or completed
Willmott Dixon Interiors has been chosen to deliver a £39m refurbishment at London South Bank University’s (LSBU) London Road Building.
It extends the substantial presence that both Willmott Dixon’s construction and fit-out businesses have in the universities sector with over £250m of work currently being delivered or recently completed.
This latest project will see Willmott Dixon Interiors transform LSBU’s London Road Building into a dedicated learning zone. It is a key part of its wider redevelopment project at its campus at Elephant and Castle which aims to consolidate the University’s position as a top London Modern University and building on awards for two successive years as University of the Year for Graduate employment (The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide).
When complete, the new learning zone will create new and different ways of engaging students and supporting their learning needs. It will provide a state of the art library and learning resource facility as well as offering improved Academy of Sport facilities.
Professor Paul Ivey, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Innovation) and Chief Business Officer at LSBU said: “The Wilkinson Eyre Architects design for London South Bank University’s ‘Learning Hub’ ensures our facilities, learning spaces, and technology remain fit for the future. I am delighted to welcome Willmott Dixon Interiors as our construction partners in this important venture. All three organisations are working towards creating a campus that has the capacity and facilities needed to serve students, staff and the wider community.
“This is a confident statement of intent from the LSBU group to build an educational presence in South London for the community of students, staff and other stakeholders recognising that modern, technologically driven, applied education connected to employers, is key to the future of so many.”
This latest project adds to Willmott Dixon Interiors’ growing London presence. Recently the company refurbished the grade two listed Dagenham Civic Centre to become Coventry University's new London Campus. It was also behind the creation of a new HQ for the Design Museum at the iconic former Commonwealth Institute building in Kensington and the refurbishment of Old Admiralty Building which overlooks Horse Guards Parade for HM Government. Current projects include a complex refurbishment at The National Gallery in Trafalgar Square. In total, Willmott Dixon Interiors has delivered projects with a total floor space of 2,000,000 square foot in London over the last five years.
The company has also recently completed a refurbishment of 87,000 square foot in Highbury Grove in Islington to create a new facility for the London Screen Academy. The college enables 16-18 year olds to learn about film production techniques such as behind-the-camera roles, costume design, production management, film distribution and marketing as they work towards a career in the industry.
As the LSBU project is within a live campus environment, Willmott Dixon Interiors will be utilising its considerable experience of working within occupied space, having previously delivered projects in confined spaces for both Imperial College London and City University.
Graham Shaw, Managing Director of Willmott Dixon Interiors, said: “We are really pleased to be working with LSBU to help it transform the London Road Building and realise its modern campus vision. The new facilities will support both staff and students with learning facilities fit for the future.”
Key milestone for major college revamp in Cheadle
Takes pipeline of Passivhaus, net zero carbon, and BREEAM outstanding projects to over £1.4bn.
Latest in a series of projects for Westminster City Council following Westmead development to build 65 new affordable homes on Tavistock Road, plus 112 new homes on Harrow Road
Latest cohort will complement the company's existing 85 trainees earning while they learn
Latest adaptive re-use of existing property
Company is highest placed contractor and follows a similar accolade earlier this year with The Times
Pipeline of Passivhaus, net zero carbon, and/or BREEAM outstanding projects worth £1.4bn