Art college’s £69m revamp ‘to help nurture students’ talents’

BY FREDDIE ALCOCK
news@slpmedia.co.uk

An arts college has celebrated a £69million refurbishment, including a new 1,300sq ft gallery space at the main entrance.

The redevelopment of Camberwell College of Arts’ 1970s building in Peckham Road includes a new 60,000sq ft extension housing a library, lecture theatre and first-class art facilities for students ranging from ceramics to graphic design.

The investment is set to be a major boost to the college, whose famous alumni include painter Sir Howard Hodgkin and singer Florence Welch of the rock band Florence and the Machine. The site also now has 264 rooms for student accommodation in a dedicated new building, making it the only London-based arts college with an on-site residential block.

The development was  designed by RIBA award-winning Stephen Marshall Architects.

The redevelopment is part of a wider £440 million investment by the University of the Arts London, which runs Camberwell College of Arts and five other sites across the capital, including London College of Communication and Wimbledon College of Arts.

UAL Chancellor Grayson Perry said: “This is a delightful space in a thriving community which will enable students to realise their potential and to craft, create and take risks. Every artist needs the right environment to be able to nurture and cultivate their talents and I’m sure these excellent facilities will support our future students.”