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Architectural practice Make has submitted a planning application for a new BREEAM excellent joint education building for the University of East London and Birkbeck University of London. In a unique collaboration between these two complementary centres of learning, Stratford Island University Centre will provide a variety of cutting edge education facilities for both institutions.Make and its multi-disciplinary team, comprising Aecom, Fluid Structures and Plincke Landscape Ltd, have designed an 8,600 sq m building to attract and cater for a broad mix of higher and further education students. The new facility will house a range of departments from each university and incorporate a range of highly flexible general teaching and administrative spaces, alongside dedicated spaces for subjects including Law, Performing Arts, Dance, Music and Information Technology.
The proposed building is a much needed new presence on what is currently a dilapidated piece of urban realm in a high profile location and a key site in central Stratford, which London Thames Gateway Development Corporation and Newham Borough Council are keen to develop as part of a new cultural quarter for East London. Indeed, the building will enable the universities to foster new links with the cultural community already established in the area such as the Theatre Royal and Stratford Circus.
A number of social and environmentally sustainable measures are to be incorporated; the car free site will have a fully landscaped 600 sq m learning garden and proposals include a high solid to glass ratio on the facades, green roofs and photovoltaic panels. Pending planning permission, building work will commence on site in 2011. The consultant team includes Aecom, Plinke Landscape Ltd, Fluid Structures, Gardiner & Theobald, Gleeds and GL Hearn.