Ada College is opening it’s new facility to students for the 2023 academic year. Designed by LSI Architects, and refurbished by Wates Smartspace, the National College for Digital Skills has moved into new premises on Sutherland St in Pimlico, London. Named after Ada Lovelace, a 19th century computer programmer, the College works to educate and empower the next generation of digital talent with a particular focus on women and individuals from low-income backgrounds. The Pimlico campus building is spread over 5 floors and includes a cafe, sports hall, games room and a roof terrace with aspirational views over central London. The building’s previous engineering workshops have been converted into IT suites for the college’s core computing qualifications, and lecture theatres have replaces traditional classrooms. Client: Ada College. Architect: LSI Architects. Contractor: Wates Smartspace / Wates Group. Engineers: Mott MacDonald

ADA College London

Building the future of digital education

THE ASPIRATION
Consolidating space, enabling growth
ADA College, known for preparing students for careers with global tech leaders, wanted to bring its multiple campuses together under one roof. An existing further education building near Victoria Station was acquired with funding from the Department for Education (DfE). The goal was to remodel the site to include new classrooms, an auditorium / sports hall and staff facilities, while tackling outdated building services and working within tight site limits.

OUR RESPONSE
Engineering solutions in a tight spot
Appointed by Wates, we provided Building Services Engineering support to help win the project and guide it through the CEM stages. Our team presented concept designs to the college and DfE, then developed the full M&E design to RIBA Stage 4 and provided construction support.

We assessed the existing MEP systems to identify which kit could be kept, adapted or replaced, making sure the budget was used wisely. Key challenges included replacing ventilation and air handling units to meet higher occupancy demands and creating new openings in the façade with just 1.2 metres clearance to the Victoria Line station. Close coordination with Wates and National Rail kept everything safe, compliant and on schedule.

We also worked with architects and the M&E subcontractor, Gloucester S-Worx, from early design through to installation, making sure solutions worked well in practice and met all technical needs.

THE RESULT
A future-ready learning environment
The refurbishment delivered modern building services, better ventilation and cooling, and spaces designed for teaching, sport and performance. Legacy system issues were resolved, ensuring reliable operation from day one.

THE LASTING IMPACT
Supporting the next generation
Our work gave ADA College an efficient, compliant and comfortable learning environment, enabling them to deliver high-quality digital education in a single, consolidated site, shaping the careers of future tech professionals.

Find out more about our Building Services Engineering expertise.

  • £5m

    Project value

  • Live

    Environment refurbishment

  • CEM

    Stage expertise

  • Legacy

    System validation

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