New Barnet College, London, United Kingdom

New Barnet College campus to boost regeneration of North London
Barnet College, one of England’s largest further education institutions, has unveiled the first images of its plans for a new campus in Colindale, North London.

Identified as an ‘opportunity area’ by the Mayor of London, Colindale is undergoing an unprecedented phase of regeneration and is set to see some 10,000 new homes built in the coming years as well as hundreds of new jobs for the area. Key to the London Borough of Barnet’s vision for Colindale is the improvement of local education facilities and the College’s new state-of-the-art campus will play a key role in the area’s ongoing renaissance.

The development - designed by UK-based international architectural firm RMJM, which is renowned for its work in the education sector - will see the relocation of two centres to a central campus close to Colindale underground station. Accommodating a variety of curriculum activities, the state-of-the-art seven storey building will also provide facilities open to the local community including hair and beauty salons, hospitality training suites and a new restaurant.

RMJM director Matt Cartwright, leading the design team commented: “This new campus for Barnet College is an important milestone for the college and for the local community - it will lead the way in transforming Colindale. Urban regeneration must start at a community level and this new campus aims to deliver outstanding community facilities as well as its all important education function.”

The College’s Principal, Marilyn Hawkins, said: “This is an exciting project. The College has a tremendous reputation for delivering quality vocational training for young people aged 14 -19 at our current Grahame Park site. This new centre would allow the College to move to new levels of excellence in modern, purpose-built facilities.

“This is especially important with the new emphasis on apprenticeships and as the new specialist vocational 14-19 diplomas - in which the College is playing a leading role - come on stream.

“The design ideas are striking and very versatile, creating a building of which the community will be proud.”

Barnet College submitted an Application in Principal for funding to the Learning Skills Council at the end of July 2008
source: www.worldarchitecturenews.com
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