University of the Arts London is a collegiate university specialising in arts, design, fashion and the performing arts. It is a federation of six arts colleges: Camberwell College of Arts, Central Saint Martins, Chelsea College of Arts, the London College of Communication, the London College of Fashion, and the Wimbledon College of Arts.

Neilcott was appointed to carry out Phase 2A works at the Wimbledon College of Arts which involved the de-commissioning, strip-out, refurbishment and modification of the existing accommodation and engineering services to provide new specialist facilities to support their expansion of performing arts courses.

This is the first of four phases of College redevelopment and following Neilcott’s success in providing high-levels of client satisfaction on Phase 2A, we are currently negotiating with the UAL for direct award of the subsequent phases totalling c.£8m.

The project required the following refurbishment works:

• Convert the current Ground Floor Wood Workshop into new Rehearsal Studio
• Convert the current Ground Floor Studios into one space to be used as a Technically Enhanced Studio
• Convert the 1st Floor Painting Studio into a new Rehearsal/ Performance Studio
• Convert the 1st Floor Painting Studio into a Temporary Performance Studio
• Convert the 1st Floor Studio into one space as anew Creative Theatre Tech Room (Design Studio)
• Convert the current Ground Floor Studios into one space to be used as a Creative Tech Arts (Design Studio)
• Fit black out blinds to Studio Fabric/ Painting Space

The works were largely remodelling of the existing building to create open plan studio areas, with new plasterboard partitions to create a meeting room, office and communal room area. The majority of the remodelled rooms received new plasterboard wall linings incorporating inset rigitone acoustic boards. The existing soffit services were removed, made good and decorated prior to receiving the new studio services. One arts studio received an open plan acoustic felt batten ceiling with exposed services above. Floor finishes were predominately new acoustic underlaid vinyl, including cushioned studio flooring.
Exposed soffit required coordination of our supply chain to ensure that existing ceilings were prepared and painted prior to any service installation. All specialist suppliers/subcontractors were briefed on the importance of maintaining a high quality of installation.