A further education facility at London South Bank Technical College, delivered by architecture firm Holmes Miller, was officially opened last week by education secretary Gillian Keegan MP.
The building represents a milestone for the £100 million project, which is being delivered in two phases. The facility was designed to offer a ‘modern, high-quality’ environment that prioritises learning, mental health and wellbeing while ensuring future-proof flexibility and sustainability.
Designed to be low-carbon in operation, the campus has achieved a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating.
The college will cater for over 2,500 full and part-time learners and was funded by the London Education Action Partnership (LEAP).
The campus provides 10,000 sq m of educational space, including construction workshops, dental labs and TV recording studios, spread over ten storeys along with a range of formal, informal and social learning spaces, workshops, break-out areas and a café.
The exterior features a brickwork base, with curtain walling and pleated metal cladding above. Internally, a ‘digital spine’ – a series of stacked double-height spaces – spans all ten floors. Surrounding the building is a hard and soft landscaped public realm of raised planters and natural stone paving.
The main contractor on the project was GRAHAM. Technical advisors were Rock Townsend Architects and Architecture PLB.
Mariyam Afnida, associate at Holmes Miller, said, “This flagship project, as well as providing excellent educational facilities, has also become a landmark for the Nine Elms area thanks to its distinctive bronze anodised aluminium-clad tower. The extensive use of glazing and large feature windows bring in generous natural daylight and expansive views that we hope will make the building a pleasure to learn in – it has certainly been rewarding to have played a key role in delivering it.”
At the end of financial year 2022/23, Holmes Miller recorded a 100% growth in turnover in the south east of England, helped by the firm’s decision to shift its main studio in the region from central London to St Albans in summer 2022.
MD Callum Houston added, “On the back of our work on London South Bank Technical College, we have secured a strong pipeline of projects in the south east, particularly in higher and further education. We hope the successful completion of a project of this scale and prominence will drive further growth for Holmes Miller in England.”
