Imperial officially opens new hall of residence

Lucinda Sandon-Allum, Councillor Kaur-Dheer, Alice Gast and Rupa Huq MP at the opening of Woodward Buildings

A ceremony was held on Wednesday to mark the official opening of Woodward Buildings, the College's newest student hall of residence.

Woodward Buildings in North Acton is the College’s largest student residence, housing 693 students and a 14 person wardening team across its three blocks. Woodward is also the first Imperial hall of residence to boast a round the clock hall staff presence.

Woodward is also home to a range of social facilities including a common room, music rooms and study space, as well as an onsite gym and Imperial College Union’s new bar and restaurant, The Foundry.

The development represents an important milestone in the development of accommodation for Imperial students and builds on Imperial’s growing presence in the area, already established with Imperial’s nearby White City Campus.

Speaking at the opening, Imperial’s President, Professor Alice Gast said: “Woodward Buildings are our newest student halls but they also have a very important link to our past. They honour Professor Joan Woodward, one of our first female Professors and a pioneer in empirical research in industrial organisational structures.” 

A plaque honouring Professor Woodward was unveiled by Imperial College Union President, Lucinda Sandon-Allum and the Mayor of Ealing, Councillor Kaur-Dheer.

Students at Woodward Buildings

“We hear about charisma having many dimensions – Joan’s charisma was through her modesty and the way she wore her reputation. 

I think it is a wonderful recognition of the contribution she made to the College to have these buildings named after her.”