Redbridge College

We were appointed to carry out a detailed analysis of the existing buildings at Redbridge College’s Chadwell Heath Campus and develop a 5-year strategy for the upgrade of the existing facilities and to identify new build opportunities. Following this initial masterplan study, we undertook a series of new build and refurbishment works at the College, including the design of a new performing arts building and a new teaching block.

The ‘Box Theatre’ performing arts centre is made up of music recording studios, teaching spaces and a 264-seat performance space. This performance space doubles as a multi-purpose hall with retractable seating making room for enrolment, exhibitions and gatherings. The building is conceived as an elevated translucent box sitting on a plinth of black brickwork, clad in coloured, translucent glazing to create a vibrant facade. The reception area sits within a double-height foyer area, creating the new entrance and updated public face of the College.

The teaching block provides 1930m2 of flexible teaching space and a staff room over two floors. The building is conceived as a simple rectangular plan shape with a highly efficient double loaded corridor block that maximises teaching space with minimised circulation. The building features fibrous cement cladding in a combination of colours, creating a vibrant and cost-effective facade. The building echoes the style and form of the existing campus structures, ensuring a coherent campus identity whilst also having the impact to appeal to future generations of students. The teaching block has been designed to accommodate change and to grow with the College to truly provide a value for money, flexible long term asset. As a steel framed structure, the internal partitions can be adapted to suit the varied needs of building users, whilst if required, the building has the opportunity for expansion.

We worked with BREEAM consultants on both projects and sustainability requirements were developed early on in the design stage and closely monitored throughout the construction period. Both buildings achieved a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating on completion without large additional investment.

Awards: 
2017 Surface Design Awards – Light and Surface Exterior – Winner
2016 WAN Awards – Colour in Architecture – Long list