​City of Westminster College's new Paddington Green Campus opened its doors to students for the first time on Monday at the start of the new term and the reaction has been enthusiastically positive, with learners describing it as 'amazing', 'cool' and 'really student-friendly'.

Nadia Shafi, 18, from Barking, is studying the BTEC National Diploma in Applied Science. She says: 'The building is amazing and I really like The Learning Resource Centre - especially because you can borrow a laptop and study wherever you want to in the building.'

Nicola Green, 36, from Clapham, is studying GCSE Biology. She says: 'It feels airy, light and spacious. The building is also really student-friendly, with seating areas on every floor where you can study or have a chat with classmates. My classroom is lovely - it has fantastic light - and The Learning Resource Centre is cool and modern.'

Shvan Saleh, 18, from Maida Vale, is studying A-levels in Psychology, Maths and Business. He says: 'It's a building with an interesting and funky design. Today was my first day and the atmosphere felt warm and calm. I also feel really safe here.'

The landmark £102m Schmidt Hammer Lassen building on Paddington Green is designed to provide a truly 21st century learning environment, with wi-fi throughout to facilitate 'learning anytime and anywhere', and an inspired mix of informal learning and meeting spaces alongside more formal classrooms, workshops, IT Pods and laboratories.

With fantastic views over St Mary's Gardens from its floor-to-ceiling windows and a seven-storey atrium at the heart of the building, it offers an inspirational feeling of light and space. Among its extensive range of facilities are a large Sports Hall built to Sport England specifications; a state-of-the-art Fitness Centre and a professional-specification 250-seat theatre/performance space.

Once students and staff have had a little time to settle in, the College proposes to hold open days to allow the public and other interested parties to see for themselves the architecturally stunning features of the building that now provides the College with such a wonderful teaching and learning environment.