College of North West London, Kilburn Centre, Kilburn

The Kilburn Centre is a modern learning facility that replaces the College’s previous building, which had become dilapidated and inefficient after 100 years of use. Situated on a challenging site—a redundant car park next to the old State Cinema on Kilburn High Road—the area was initially considered unpromising, bordered by a tower block, a pub, and high street shops. The site included a neglected access road, known as the Link Land, which was incorporated into the College's redevelopment plan to create a landscaped amenity space for both the College and the local community.

Rock Townsend was selected as the architects in 2005, following a competitive interview process. The project, initially nicknamed ‘Dog Bites Kilburn,’ featured a unique design with the upper floors cantilevering over the Link Land. The building's form was dictated by stringent SPG light angles and rights of light regulations, resulting in a distinctive, chamfered shape.

The interior design is organized around a central light slot, flanked by stair and lift cores, with teaching spaces on one side and administrative offices on the other. The building’s modest cantilever over the Link Land and its bold striped facade led to its affectionate nickname, ‘Zebra Bites Kilburn.’

The project moved smoothly from design sketches to detailed construction, with Rock Townsend and other consultants retained to ensure the contractors' adherence to the design vision. The result is a striking building, closely resembling the initial design models. The interior is filled with natural light, enhanced by frameless glass walls and doors that create a transparent and open atmosphere. The exposed in-situ concrete frame, described as visually 'dangerous,' contrasts with the precise detailing of the furnishings and lighting, creating a modern, brutalist aesthetic.

The Centre employs a mixed-mode ventilation system, with natural air drawn in through floor vents and exhausted through high-level plenum ducts, complemented by heat recovery systems. The facade features solar control fins—horizontal on the upper floors and vertical on the lower levels—to manage solar gain. The ground floor has a dynamic, transparent facade that includes a reception/café area and a course information center.

The reception desk serves as a central hub, situated under the light slot and providing a welcoming space for students and visitors. The Kilburn Centre's innovative design not only meets the educational needs of the College but also enhances the urban environment, offering a modern, inspiring place for learning. This project was the first of two major initiatives in the College's property improvement program, followed by a technology training facility in Willesden and a planned major new facility in Wembley.