South Bank Colleges, Blocks A, Clapham Campus, Clapham Common

As part of a wider estate strategy, South Bank Colleges identified the need for a new c.5,400m² GIA gateway building at its Clapham campus. The project consolidates dispersed provision into a single, purpose-built facility designed to support both young people and adult learners who have not thrived in mainstream education, including those for whom English is a second language.

Axonometic view of refurbished and new extension

The rationalisation of the campus enables the release of surplus land, helping to fund the Gateway Centre and future development at the nearby Nine Elms campus. The building brings together core teaching spaces for English and Maths with specialist facilities for Art, Dance and Catering, alongside dedicated alternative provision for younger learners. These are supported by a range of shared amenities, including a refectory/café, flexible hub spaces and a Learning Resource Centre.

The proposals were developed through close collaboration with the client, consultant team, planning advisors and the London Borough of Lambeth, ensuring a coordinated and contextually responsive design.

The brief called for a high-quality, future-focused education facility that would:

Deliver a c.5,400m² gateway building
Provide inclusive, high-quality teaching, learning and amenity spaces
Enhance the surrounding urban environment
Respond sensitively to context, including massing, heritage and environmental considerations
Embed sustainability through reuse, reduced embodied carbon and low-energy design
Optimise site utilisation by replacing a redundant sports hall with new academic space
Enable future masterplan development while maximising site value
Meet planning policy and design guidance requirements

The project was delivered to an accelerated programme, completing RIBA Stages 1–4 within seven months to secure Department for Education funding, supported by a multidisciplinary team of 15 consultants through to planning submission and Employer’s Requirements.

Ground floor layout

Typical upper floor layout

Third floor layout

North west elevation

North east elevation

South west elevation

South east elevation

courtyard view of the new extension block

The building’s design and organisation are carefully planned to optimise spatial adjacencies, responding directly to patterns of occupancy and the operational demands of the college timetable.

Ground Floor: Main entrance, refectory/café and shared social spaces linked to the courtyard
First Floor: Learning Resource Centre, student support services, administrative offices and terrace access
Second Floor: General teaching classrooms, student hub, contemplation room and leadership offices
Third Floor: Specialist teaching spaces for Dance, Art & Design and Catering, alongside flexible learning and multi-use areas with terrace access

Targeting BREEAM ‘Excellent’, the scheme adopts a low-carbon strategy centred on the reuse of existing structures combined with a highly efficient new-build extension of approximately 3,000m². Operational energy is reduced through the introduction of photovoltaic panels and a transition from gas boilers to air source heat pumps.

The new building is carefully integrated to preserve and enhance the existing landscaped courtyard, maintaining it as a key amenity space. Green roofs support biodiversity and planning objectives, while improved ground-level landscaping creates clear, accessible routes, ensuring intuitive and efficient movement across the campus.

The gateway building establishes a cohesive, inclusive and sustainable learning environment—supporting diverse educational pathways while unlocking long-term value for the wider campus.