London College of Communication plans £80-£100 million revamp

The new head of college Natalie Brett has revealed early details of the scheme – costed at £80 million to £100 million – in an interview with student newspaper Arts London News.

The article suggests that the college has backed away from previously mooted plans to turn the tower block into flats to fund the development of the rest of the campus and the landmark tall building will be retained by the college after all.

The revamped college will be designed by Stanton Williams, the same firm responsible for Central Saint Martins King's Cross campus.

Like CSM, LCC is part of the University of the Arts London (UAL).

Part of the Stanton Williams proposal involves opening up the top two floors of the tower block to create a new events space.

"It will be like a glass box on top of the building," Brett told Arts London News.

"Maybe we are able to project any kind of digital imagery on the building as well, and be able to show people outside what actually goes on inside."

A key element of the scheme will be creating better connections between the lower floors of the tower and the rest of the college buildings. At the moment the buildings are connected by a labyrinthine system of corridors and passageways.

Brett has also hinted that the college could seek a commercial partner to create a venue for film screenings, festivals and other events.

She said: "We can use it as a lecture theatre during the day, but also be able to put on festivals and commercial events.

"That would bring in funding for the college as well, to help fund the bigger projects."

According to ALN, work could start on the scheme in two years' time.