South Bank College’s new campus at Nine Elms is the first comprehensive new-build technical college in a generation.  The Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Maths (STEAM) Centre is the innovative, flagship building transforming how teaching, learning and career development takes place.  The first phase of the College’s own masterplan, the campus forms part of the wider Nine Elms regeneration and masterplan, a former industrial district now undergoing complete transformation to become a new major city hub.

Rock Townsend was appointed to complete Design Stage 3 & 4 of the 10-storey building with the specific brief to improve the efficiency of the building through effective space planning; optimise the nett to gross with learning spaces maximised; and deliver the highest quality learning environments for students and staff. These targets were set against a backdrop of important sustainability targets and the long-term approach to future-proofing the building and spaces so as to be tolerant to change and maintain flexibility throughout the buildings lifespan.

The building houses a variety of ‘traditional’ classroom spaces, specialist vocational spaces and workshops together with informal break-out learning areas.  Each space tailored to suit the diverse curriculum mix of construction skills, dental technology, engineering, digital and creative industries, as well as the core academic subjects of English and Maths.

Rock Townsend was also appointed as lead Technical Advisor (TA) by the client to provide a multi-disciplinary specialist TA team with input form façade specialists, MEP engineers, civil and structure engineers, acousticians, landscape architect and accessibility specialist. 

The project is the first phase of the APLB masterplan for Lambeth College which includes a second phase and the additional 12,000SqM teaching and learning spaces within 2 new  buildings currently being designed by Rock Townsend. 

The Phase 1 STEAM Centre scheme was completed January 2023.