College of North West London, Telford Building, Wilsden

Rock Townsend designed a cutting-edge technical teaching facility for the College of North West London in Willesden. The multi-storey building draws inspiration from post-war "sunlight" industrial architecture, featuring double-height bays and purpose-built spaces tailored for specific disciplines such as Plumbing, Manufacturing, and Engineering. This design not only provides specialized areas but also serves as an instructional tool, enabling the building itself to become a part of the learning experience.

The architecture of the new facility embodies and showcases the CNWL's technical courses. By housing multiple disciplines under one roof, the layout fosters interaction among students from different courses, promoting an integrated understanding of the construction process.

The building accommodates various departments and specialized facilities, including Fabrication Welding, Plumbing, Manufacturing and Engineering, Automotive Engineering, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning, Gas/Heating and Ventilation, and Fibrous Plaster and Trowel Trades. The design emphasizes exposed services and straightforward architectural detailing, providing students with a clear view of the building's operational systems, thereby enhancing their practical learning experience.

Significant attention was given to the building's form and layout to support passive design strategies and ensure energy efficiency. Occupied spaces are positioned to maximize natural ventilation, minimizing reliance on mechanical systems. Circulation and storage areas are centrally located to optimize the building's environmental performance.

Rock Townsend was novated to the contractor Mullaleys to oversee and deliver the project's through stages 5 and 6 – construction and handover