Imperial's masterplan to create a new seven-acre mixed-use campus with a postgraduate focus takes shape.

It’s difficult to picture its potential now. This long-neglected patch of west London – once the BBC's Woodlands site – now an expanse of brownfield land. But it could well be where Imperial’s next generation of great minds will come to hone its skills and develop new ideas and technologies. A brand new campus for the College in London.

Last July planning permission was given for Imperial’s masterplan to create a new seven-acre mixed-use campus with a postgraduate focus where the BBC buildings once stood.

On looking around, there is some evidence of what is to come. Phase one of the development saw the construction of Wood Lane Studios on the northern section of the site – a complex of over 600 studio apartments for postgraduate students – and the first residents arrived here in September. A modern mix of brick and copper, glass and steel, the buildings are certainly of high quality and finish. Among the many facilities included are a communal lounge, quiet study rooms, private courtyards, a gym and secure cycle storage.

With Wood Lane Studios complete, attention is moving to the second phase and the wider site. Last month, the College was awarded £35 million by the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) through the UK Research Partnership Investment Fund (UK RPIF). This funding will be directed towards a £150 million Research and Translation Hub, which will provide high specification, multidisciplinary research space for 1,000 scientists and engineers and state-of-theart incubator space for spinout companies. As well as the award from HEFCE, one of the largest by the UK RPIF, the new hub will be funded by a £90 million contribution from investor Voreda, with the remainder funded by the College.

Plans to develop the Research and Translation Hub will begin in 2013, and the site will eventually include leisure and retail facilities, a conference centre, homes for College and Imperial NHS Trust key workers and for private sale, and a publicly accessible square. Added together it creates a bold new vision to support and expand the College’s existing activities.

“This really is a once in a generation opportunity,” says President & Rector, Sir Keith O’Nions. “Imperial West will foster a culture of research and innovation electric with ideas. A place where students, academics and industry partners collaborate to translate knowledge and expertise into solutions which enhance the world around us.”

Opportunities at Imperial West

Now work has begun to scope out the academic uses for the site, an activity that will be led by Deputy Rector Stephen Richardson and Pro Rector (Research) Donal Bradley, working closely with Chief Operating Officer Simon Harding-Roots to define the facilities required, and to consider the mix of wet and dry labs, office and teaching space, and other facilities for staff and students.

“The South Kensington site is as full as I’ve ever seen it,” says Stephen. “We just can’t do any more here, and Imperial West presents a unique opportunity to do things that would simply not be possible elsewhere.”

Whilst the academic vision for the site is still taking shape, given its close proximity to the Hammersmith Campus, those activities with a medical leaning may be a good fit. “For anyone doing research that requires access to patients, the opportunities at Imperial West will naturally be of interest,” said Stephen.

Other considerations, as the project moves forward, include what additional transport links will be necessary to connect all the Imperial sites in west London. “The area is well served by tube stations at White City and Wood Lane, but we will be exploring the provision of a high frequency bus service, during both peak and off-peak hours, so that staff and students can move around freely,” Stephen added.

Neatly summing up the opportunities Imperial West offers, Donal says: “Being able to work from a blank canvas allows us to set our ambitions incredibly high and to create something that is very much designed for purpose. And having £150 million to start spending on getting it right is a pretty good place to be.”

The completed Wood Lane Studios

The story so far

• September 2009 : College purchases former BBC Woodlands site for £28 million
• July 2012: Planning permission for College’s masterplan granted by London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham
• September 2012: Phase one completed with the opening of Wood Lane Studios
• October 2012: College receives £35 million award to support development of £150 million Research and Translation Hub. Plans to develop the Hub will begin in 2013

Imperial West in figures

7 acres – size of site

606 postgraduates accommodated in Wood Lane Studios

3,200 – number of permanent jobs created on site on completion

42,000m² – size of Research and Translation Hub

500m – distance to Imperial Centre for Translational and Experimental Medicine at Hammersmith Campus

99% of the material transported from site during demolition and clearance was recycled

35 – number of storeys on building F

Site plan