Information Teaching Lab for Queen Mary University of London

We're extending and refurbishing the ITL (Informatics and Technology Learning) building at Queen Mary University of London, one of the UK’s leading research-focused higher education institutions.

With a vibrant community of over 32,000 students and 4,500 staff, the university is investing in state-of-the-art facilities to enhance its computer science education offerings. This exciting project reflects the university’s commitment to sustainable design, innovation, and enhancing the student experience.

What our scope involves

Our work includes retaining much of the existing structure while replacing the façade to significantly improve the building's sustainable performance. We are also creating a new circulation core and adding two additional floors, resulting in 160 new workspaces for students to support a range of activities, including coursework, group projects, and extracurricular experiments.

The additional two storeys go above the original building to provide 2,760 square metres of space, along with a five-storey addition to the east for better circulation. This will increase student capacity from 260 to 450, meeting a growing demand for informatics teaching.

Sustainable retrofit

The retrofit of this 1989 building will see the existing concrete frame retained to reflect the buildings existing embodied carbon, along the north and south external walls. To prevent the need for new foundations, the new storeys will be constructed from a hybrid steel and timber structure, selected for its lightness in weight, low carbon cost and future adaptability.

Windows will be enlarged and replaced with high-performing thermal glazing, while the new extension will be fabricated from an aluminium-framed curtain wall glazing and rainscreen cladding.

Structural work

Alongside structural changes, we are replacing all mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) systems with modern, sustainable solutions to improve energy and water efficiency. This aligns with Queen Mary’s 2030 strategy, focusing on infrastructure investments that prioritise both functionality and sustainability.

CGI of new building (below)

Current building being replaced (below)

Timeline

Works began on-site in June 2024, with completion planned for Q4 2025. Beyond the building itself, the project will enhance the surrounding public realm, incorporating biodiversity improvements and additional sustainability measures. Once finished, the ITL building will provide a cutting-edge environment for learning and research, serving as a key step in Queen Mary University’s vision.

Richard Poulter, Managing Director for Willmott Dixon in the South:

"Our team is thrilled to be involved in the transformation of the ITL building at Queen Mary University. Willmott Dixon has a long-term ambition to contribute to a more sustainable building stock, combining innovative design with advanced sustainability measures and ITL is just one example of using bring that ambition to reality. We are proud to play a role in delivering a facility that will support both academic excellence and environmental stewardship for years to come."