Minister for Further Education, Skills, Apprenticeships and Consumer Affairs Kevin Brennan MP performed the official topping out ceremony at City of Westminster College’s new Paddington Green Campus today.
The ceremony, marking completion of the structural phase of building work, took place on the rooftop. It represents a significant milestone in the building programme as it means the College’s concrete frame has been completed to its highest point, ready for the installation of the lightweight and energy efficient roof over the central atrium later this month.
Those in attendance included Karen Buck MP, Lars Christiansen, Counsellor from the Royal Danish Embassy, key representatives of the College and stakeholders. Representatives from the construction team were also in attendance, including lead contractor McLaren Construction, architects schmidt hammer lassen, consulting engineers Buro Happold, project managers Knight Frank and employer’s agent Stace.
Set in the heart of Westminster, the new Campus will offer an outstanding teaching and learning environment within a 24,000m2 building that will be a flagship for Further Education in London and the Region. At £102 million, this ambitious scheme is the highest value single site redevelopment that the Learning and Skills Council has agreed to date and their 86% grant is one of the largest financial contributions.
Alongside the large central atrium to maximise natural light, the building features an airy open plan Learning Centre and a large roof terrace looking out over one of West London’s precious green spaces. State-of-the-art facilities include a double-height sports hall, specialist science labs and a wide range of engineering and construction workshops. There is community access to campus facilities such as the 140-seat theatre and public café with outdoor terrace.
Sustainable features lie at the heart of the design and the Campus incorporates construction materials with a high thermal mass to create a buffer against extremes of temperature and reduce running costs.
Kevin Brennan MP said: “I’m really pleased to be here today at the topping out ceremony to celebrate the Government’s investment in City of Westminster College’s new £102m Paddington Green Campus.
“New College facilities improve the lives of learners, regenerate communities and inspire local people to learn and develop. This new world-class Campus will equip Londoners with the skills they need to get work and get on at work.”
City of Westminster College Chair of Governors Jude Boardman said: “With today’s topping out ceremony we celebrated an exciting moment in the development of the new Paddington Green Centre. With the structure completed, we can all visualise just how inspiring our new Campus will be and look forward to completion of this state-of-the-art building in time to open in January 2011.
“I would like to thank the project teams from our contractors and City of Westminster College for their hard work and dedication in realising this ambitious project that will be a huge asset to our students, our local area and to London as a whole.”
McLaren Chairman Kevin Taylor said: “We are delighted to have reached this important stage in construction and look forward to the successful completion of this world-class College which will act as the benchmark for future schemes across the UK.”