Hammersmith College's Architect Calls for Building to Be Saved
Bob Giles joins colleagues campaigning to stop demolition of Gliddon Road campus
The fight to save the iconic Hammersmith & Fulham College on Hammersmith's Gliddon Road has stepped up a gear, with its architect Bob Giles joining celebrity supporters calling for it to be 'retrofitted' rather than demolished.
West London College, which includes the Gliddon Road campus, hired design consultancy Atkins in 1917 to draw up plans for a £500 million mixed-use development of the site.
West London College had a deficit of almost £2.5 million last year, according to its latest accounts, but Karen Redhead, its chief executive and principal, has refused to confirm or deny whether the plans, which include flats for private sale are connected to its financial problems.
Instead she said the building is too big and has not stood the test of time.
However distinguished architect Bob Giles, who designed the 1970s red brick building opposite Barons Court Tube Station when he was at the Greater London Council, is suggesting these problems are the main reason behind the redevelopment plans.
He told Architect's Journal: " If this college was to remain as an education institution, you certainly wouldn’t start by knocking it down.
"‘You’d be looking to retrofit it and you would appoint some sensitive architects – because it’s 40 years old, has issues regarding insulation, and does need a complete refurbishment."
He added, of a potential refurbishment: " But that would be fraction of the investment needed to rebuild the college and would be much better for the environment."
He also said he supported a campaign by The Architects' Journal called RetroFirst, which is asking government to promote refurbishing buildings rather than demolishing them.
"‘What credibility does the government’s green agenda have when they allow a public institution to demolish a viable building?" he asked.
He is joined in his appeal to save the college by other well known names from the world of architecture, including Piers Gough, Owen Luder, Angela Brady, Rowan Moore and Owen Hatherley along with celebrity alumni of the college including comedian Marcus Brigstocke and local resident and Earl of Caithness Malcolm Sinclair.
Local MP Andy Slaughter has also expressed fears about the future of this 'Hammersmith landmark' while a petition launched last year described the college as "a wonderful example of modernist master planning" and said demolition would be a "catastrophe".
An application to have the building listed fell through after Historic England ruled that it did not demonstrate "the degree of innovation in design and execution necessary for a building of this type to be listed". An appeal is now being consider with Historic England due to submit its advice on the certificate of listing for the building on 13 February.
In a statement, West London College chief executive and principal Karen Redhead said: " The college’s redevelopment plan allows us to provide outstanding education and skills training that is fit for the 21st century. The energy efficiency and design of the new building will ensure that we can make considerable savings in running and maintenance costs, whilst reducing our overall carbon footprint.
"The proposed development will also provide access to facilities for local residents, including a training restaurant and a hair and beauty salon, offering cut-price meals and treatments. We are also investing heavily in landscaping in excess of requirements and expectations, with a new public park to the south of the site and new gathering spaces in the heart of the development for the local community to enjoy.
"The existing building has not stood the test of time, with repair and maintenance costs that should not have been necessary for a building of its age. It is also much bigger than we need or use, with almost 50 per cent of space being surplus to requirements. The release of excess space, to provide much needed affordable housing, will ensure that the new campus is right-sized and can be built to a high architectural standard without a requirement for borrowing.
"This planned redevelopment is fundamental to the college’s vision to become the best provider of education and skills training in west London, and this is why we have applied for a certificate of immunity from listing.
"The development will rejuvenate the neighbourhood as well as benefiting many thousands of students for generations to come."
January 24, 2020