CUTTING EDGE CAMPUS BRINGS 21ST CENTURY LEARNING TO THE ROYAL BOROUGH

Kensington and Chelsea College is set to change the face of local learning with the grand opening of its stunning, state-of-the-art Chelsea Centre.

The Chelsea Centre brings together the college’s new multi-million pound seven-floor Hortensia building and Carlyle building, both situated on Hortensia Road, West London and is being officially opened on Thursday June 30, 2011.

Live music performances, entertainment and exhibitions will set the scene for the evening showstopper taking place between 4-8pm.

To request a free ticket to the opening please email your name and contact number to marketing@kcc.ac.uk with ‘Chelsea Centre Ticket’ in the email subject line. Tickets are limited and being offered on a first come, first served basis.

The Chelsea Centre effortlessly blends an inspirational learning environment with the latest in creative technology, whilst continuing to give students across the college access to affordable learning through financial support and reduced fees for selected courses.

Spacious fashion studios, professional Mac Design Suites, an exhibition hall and a vibrant café area are among the eye-catching features students will benefit from under the £15 million project.

Half a million has also been invested in cutting edge technology, with an open plan learning area fitted with IT stations, WiFi and plasma screens to complement class room learning. Courses will run at the new centre from September 2011.

Kensington and Chelsea College Principal, Mike Jutsum, said: “Providing our students with the best learning environment and resources to succeed is at the heart of everything we do as a college. Our new campus is built on that very ethos and promises students a fresh, modern and vibrant learning space. The opening celebrations for the Chelsea Centre will be a real community event, and a chance to showcase to local people, businesses and organisations the amazing opportunities open to them through the new centre.”

Described as the biggest building project of its kind in Kensington and Chelsea College’s  history, the new innovative eco-friendly building will use energy efficient lighting and have cycle bays to encourage greener travel among staff and students. Lifts will also mean fully accessible facilities for disabled students.

The Chelsea Centre’s new Hortensia building was built by Wates Construction and designed in partnership between Dixon Jones – the architects who transformed The Royal Opera House and The National Portrait Gallery – and Mott MacDonald, who provided the engineering services for the new site.

Alex Jefferson, Project Manager for Wates Construction, said: “We have very much enjoyed being part of this important project for Kensington and Chelsea College.  The confined nature of the site has been challenging at times but we gain great satisfaction from handing over such a high quality building to our client and look forward to seeing it in use by students.”

Edward Jones, the architect behind the new centre added: “The importance of the group and the individual is emphasised in our design. All public activity is brought together on the ground floor; the information centre, the library, the multipurpose hall and the welcoming café. From here a dramatic top lit staircase cuts across the lower three floors providing an opportunity for informal contact between students and bringing daylight into the heart of the dense plan.”

Jonathan Todd, Project Manager for Mott MacDonald also added: “We have worked closely with the College and Dixon Jones to create a building where sustainability and energy efficiency are at the heart of the design. We hope the new site will provide students with a modern and comfortable learning environment.”

For more information about the college and available courses visit www.kcc.ac.uk or call 0207 573 5333.

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