Designs on greenwich

By Pia Talbot on June 5, 2007 12:00 AM

A DESIGN and communication college is set to move to Greenwich Peninsula as part of an ongoing regeneration of the area.
Ravensbourne College, based in Chislehurst, Kent, expects to hear in late July or August whether its application to build a new site in Greenwich has been successful.
If given the go-ahead, the college, which has 1,400 students, will relocate to Peninsula Square, London's newest public square. Construction work is expected to begin in 2008.

Jill Hogan, head of marketing and communications at Ravensbourne, said: "This is an incredibly exciting time for us as there are not many higher education colleges that have the chance to design from scratch a building which is absolutely fit for purpose.
"Our current building has been around for a number of years, and can no longer accommodate the needs of our students. There is a huge amount of growth at the Peninsula, and we want to be a part of that and to be in a position to attract the brightest students."
The new building, expected to be completed in 2009, has been designed by Foreign Office Architects. The interior will be a collaborative space, while the exterior features a series of complex tiles inspired by the mathematician Roger Penrose.
Ms Hogan said: "Being next to The O2, it is important our new building makes a statement. We also want to create a community learning hub for schools and young people in the Greenwich catchment area by inviting them to use our facilities."
The college is validated by the University of Sussex and offers further and higher education courses in areas including fashion, broadcasting, moving image, animation and performance video.
Professor Robin Baker, director of Ravensbourne, said: "Moving to Greenwich Peninsula marks the college's exciting educational transformation. Our iconic building and surroundings will provide an outstanding location for our students and staff."
Rob Johnson, joint project director at Greenwich Peninsula, said the move will bring creative energy to the area.
Over the next 15 years, 25,000 people will be living at Greenwich Peninsula. The area will boast nearly 50 acres of open spaces, and be London's first residential low emissions zone.
The official opening of Peninsula Square will take place next week. It is being billed as a "major new outdoor space for London and the gateway to The O2", and is similar in size to Leicester Square.
It will feature a 45-metre stainless steel spire and one of the largest installations of granite paving in London.
--------