Stanton Williams

Following an original competition-winning scheme for a new building for Central St. Martin’s, part of the University of the Arts London, Stanton Williams were asked to masterplan and design a new 32,000 m² campus for 5,000 students.

The design combines the 19th century Grade II listed Granary building and transit sheds – with a 200 metre long new building that uses industrial materials and creates robust spaces for the students, full of natural light. An internal street draws daylight in and acts as a central circulation spine with suspended walkways, cafes, film, graphic and light projections. The spaces are designed to be flexible and ‘raw’, to allow the different departments within the college to develop their own identities, whilst maintaining the integrity of the buildings as a whole.Performance spaces including two theatres and dance studios are designed alongside exhibition areas, a roof garden, bar and ticketing area. A sustainable energy strategy, including photovoltaic cells, allows us to work towards a BREEAM rating of ‘excellent’.The new campus will provide an unparalleled inspirational and creative space for the university and its students.

Stanton Williams were also asked by King’s Cross developer, Argent, to create a new events pavilion at the edge of Goods Yard Square in front of the Granary building, and to design their new offices in one of the preserved transit sheds.