Architect Penoyre & Prasad has won a prestigious design competition to fit-out UAL’s new building for London College of Communication and its core university services
Penoyre & Prasad’s designs will build on already-established strong connections between the college and the local community, with public spaces at the lower levels of the UAL’s new building, including a café and exhibitions spaces.
Retaining London College of Communication at the centre of the community is seen as an essential component of the redevelopment, which will also provide new leisure and office space, a new transport hub and 1,000 homes.
The 35,000m2 building will be part of the wider regeneration of the Elephant and Castle area.
With an extensive portfolio from the arts to higher education, healthcare and science & tech, Penoyre & Prasad has also recently designed University College London’s engineering research centre, ‘PEARL’, and ‘Project Oriel’, the new Moorfields Eye Hospital in Kings Cross.
Penoyre & Prasad will work in close collaboration with London College of Communication, and with shell & core architects Allies & Morrison, to co-create a sustainable, fully accessible, and super-flexible environment.
Enriched by state-of-the-art technology and pioneering teaching and learning spaces, the project will reinforce the College’s position as a world-leading design, media, and screen institution.
Design approach
Penoyre & Prasad focused on a people-centred approach to the design of the College.
A series of interconnected ‘neighbourhoods’ will provide shared spaces for like-minded courses to gravitate around and identify, with diverse learning environments and a blend of traditional and digital technical equipment.
Natalie Brett, head of London College of Communication and pro vice-chancellor of University of the Arts London, said: “We were incredibly impressed with Penoyre & Prasad’s competition submission and unanimous in our decision to select them to work with us to design our new home in Elephant and Castle.
“We were particularly impressed with Penoyre & Prasad’s understanding of the College and local area, and their attempts to understand a ‘day in the life’ of the building users – including students, staff, and members of the public.”
Commitment to culture and creative arts
Ian Goodfellow, principal at Penoyre & Prasad, commented: “As we emerge from the coronavirus crisis, there is naturally going to be a significant shift towards the role of science and technology within higher education.
“But we must not forget the importance of culture and the creative arts, and this project from a leading player in the field in UAL is a strong sign of commitment to a sector that will be a key part of Britain’s economic recovery.
“By opening the building to the wider community, we will provide a space that helps positively lead Elephant & Castle’s development, keeping creativity at the heart of the local area.”
Michael Fostiropoulos, associate at Penoyre & Prasad, added: “Our fabulous team, including communication design consultants, Thomas Matthews, has loved working on this competition.
“Doing so largely from the confines of our bedrooms/kitchens has been a great challenge that has forced us to work in ever-more inventive and creative ways.
“We’re looking forward to collaborating with London College of Communication, helping them create a flexible and inspiring home that will support their community of creative thinkers to challenge convention and enhance culture through their practice.”
