British Land provides modular space for new London college

A new engineering higher education campus, co-founded by three global universities, has opened at British Land’s Canada Water development, London, and welcomed the first cohort of full-time students this week.

TEDI-London has been established by King’s College London, Arizona State University and UNSW Sydney in a modular campus that has taken just under nine months to complete – from signing an agreement to lease to taking occupation. The building itself took six weeks to construct once the modular components were delivered to site.

Architect Hawkins Brown designed the building, each module of which uses lightweight steel frame boxes clad with insulation. No deep piles or concrete were required and at the end of its life, the building can be reused on-site, relocated in its entirety or stripped and the materials recycled, contributing to the circular economy.

Modular construction provided quick, cheap solution

“Modular construction techniques are fairly well established in the residential sector but for commercial purposes this method of construction is still relatively rare,” said British Land’s joint head of Canada Water Development Roger Madelin. “In the current environment where some businesses are working through their space requirements, this type of modular solution provides a fantastic opportunity for customers to take space quickly, cheaply and sustainably, and allows them to grow with us into more permanent space in the future.”

Initially, TEDI-London has taken 15,000 sq ft of floorspace, including classrooms, breakout spaces and labs, with the option to expand to 40,000 sq ft. British Land will deliver additional space in phases as the organisation grows and will work with TEDI-London to deliver a permanent home for its students within the Canada Water Masterplan.

TEDI-London was established with the aim of transforming engineering higher education, including diversifying the range of people studying and entering the profession. Civil, mechanical, electrical, electronic and environmental engineering are covered.