UNIVERSITY OF WESTMINSTER – HARROW CAMPUS

This project included the construction of a multi floor and multi building refurbishment of office areas, meeting rooms and classrooms. This involved the demolition of party walls and new mechanical and electrical systems.

The works had to be undertaken during the summer period whilst summer camps took place and had to be completed before the students returned for the new academic year in September 2019. Works were split into 3 main areas as follows:

FOURTH FLOOR – FASHION STUDIO
This involved the full demolition and removal of the existing fixtures and fittings and the removal of all of the internal party walls and partitions to create one large light and airy studio space. A fully revised mechanical and electrical scheme has been implemented with major alterations and installations which included Dali controlled Zumtobel and Floss lighting systems, AV and Comms infrastructure etc. The new studio space now benefits from extensive acoustic treatments to the soffits and bespoke industrial interior metal and polycarbonate screens which divide up the space for the project and office areas.

Rock Townsend, the client’s designers, chose to make the best use of the existing large roof atrium to help enhance the natural daylight into the new studio working environment for both the lecturing team and their students. The roof atrium now frames the central walkway through the studio and is cleverly illuminated by the Dali controlled linear Floss lighting.

The lecturing team can now utilise the latest dedicated Dali/Floss software application on their mobile phones to create an enhanced visual catwalk for the students of fashion to present and demonstrate their completed course works projects.

The designers chose a mix of traditional and modern floor finishes for the project, utilising the exquisitely restored existing parquet block flooring that has been framed by the concrete floor sections that used to support the internal brick and block dividing walls. To finish the overall look the dividing central walkway has been finished in a black vinyl. All of the windows have received new blinds and the wall areas complement the space with Dulux coatings and bespoke joinery panelling, along with full length steel framed linear mirrors to again, enhance and maximise the new studio space.

Finally, the University and the Alcema team worked closely to install all of the FFE equipment – steam presses/sewing machines and large work station benches for the student to lay out their projects.

4TH FLOOR – THE LIFT LOBBY
Alcema also undertook a full refurbishment of the existing WC facilities to the 4th floor lift lobby, converting them into a mixed use toilet facility. Works included new joinery, cubicles, flooring, ceramics, sanitary ware, decoration and M&E services. The outer lift lobby area received a facelift with a new MF soffit, recessed Zumtobel lighting and decorated throughout.

GROUND FLOOR – LECTURE ROOMS
Two existing lecture rooms were converted into the latest state of the art teaching facilities. Works included a full soft strip and demolition of the existing partition walls, ceiling rafts and the removal of the old central heating system to both classrooms and all floor finishes. The smaller of the two lecture rooms received new PC double glazed window sections. Both rooms received a Troldtekt acoustic raft and received new flooring and decoration throughout.

A fully revised mechanical and electrical scheme was implemented, with major alterations and installations of new lighting systems, plant and equipment. A fully interactive AV and Comms infrastructure etc, was installed in both lecture rooms, with interactive white boards, 90” AV screens and visual tracking aids for the lecturing staff, the rooms were finished with contemporary and bright furniture, fixtures and equipment.

The project has been very well received by all of the key stake holders and students who are now receiving their new working spaces following the PC handover process. Once again it has been a pleasure to work with the University of Westminster team and all of those involved in the project.