The University of Westminster has submitted a planning application to turn 29 Marylebone Road into the UK’s most inclusive Centre for Employability and Enterprise, with accessibility, inclusivity and sustainability at its heart.
Located just across the road from the University’s Marylebone Campus in the heart of central London, the nine-storey building is set to bring employers and the University’s communities under one roof. It would provide our students, alumni and the wider community with access to inspirational employer-led events and activities as well as training and networking opportunities.
Plans feature creative spaces to support collaboration and engagement with local businesses, including events and exhibition spaces to showcase student enterprise and achievements. The building is also set to host an array of state-of-the-art training facilities open to all, including a rooftop terrace, co-working spaces, a makerspace and a podcast and video recording studio.
If the planning permission is granted, construction is expected to begin in early 2023 and the building is set to open in spring 2024. Colleagues from across the University worked with designers from ADP Architecture to devise outline designs, which will be further developed with input from students, colleagues and external partners.
In line with the University’s commitments to sustainability, investment in the new building will be part of delivering a physical estate fit for the future.
The concept for the building roots in the University’s commitment and contribution to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, particularly gender equality (SDG 5) providing equal access and supporting the academic progression of women, and reduced inequalities (SDG 10) tackling economic, health based and international inequalities. Both of these will be supported through making the building open and accessible for all, including significant structural alterations creating a step free ground floor.
The University’s drive for responsible consumption and production (SDG 12) promoting resource and energy efficiency would be also realised through refurbishing rather than rebuilding the site. In addition, the Centre’s triple-glazed windows would retain heat effectively, and there would be a bike store as well as green roof terraces to encourage biodiversity and wellbeing.
The project is inspired by the Being Westminster Strategy which outlines the University’s commitment to providing the very best support to enhance student and graduate experiences, boost employability and drive knowledge exchange. Also, the University has engaged local businesses with support from Westminster Business Council, BusinessLDN and the Baker St Quarter, as well as inviting the local community into the University to learn about the project and make suggestions.
Professor Malcolm Kirkup, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Head of College of Westminster Business School at the University of Westminster, said: “Our University is one of the most inclusive universities in the world. Our new endeavour would provide a transformative experience for our students, alumni and young people from our local communities as well as local businesses. Benefitting from opportunities at the new site at 29 Marylebone Road, they all would be able to have access to enterprise training, support and mentoring, and take advantage of cutting-edge facilities which enable real-time work-based interdisciplinary projects. Together, this would help deliver the University’s commitment to Authentic Learning, Teaching and Assessment, and our passion to make a positive impact in the world.”
To be part of this game-changing initiative and support its realisation, please get in touch at [email protected].
Learn more about the plans for the new Centre for Employability and Enterprise by watching the video below.
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