Breathing New Life into the Electrical Engineering Building at Imperial College London
A brighter, more inspiring space for students
Breathing New Life into the Electrical Engineering Building
At Imperial College London’s South Kensington Campus, we were tasked with an exciting challenge: to reimagine half of Level 5 in the Electrical Engineering Building. The goal was to create a brighter, more inspiring space for students – one that matches the exceptional quality of teaching offered by the department. The result was The Imagine, Innovate, and flexible Learn Lab. These new spaces aren’t just about looking good; they set the standard for future teaching upgrades across the building.
Tackling the Challenge
The department has grown rapidly, with undergraduate and MSc student numbers increasing by 20% over the past four years. However, the existing lecture-based spaces weren’t keeping up. They lacked the flexibility and functionality to support modern teaching styles, which rely heavily on collaboration, teamwork, and critical thinking. What’s more, hybrid teaching capabilities – essential for connecting students across multiple campuses – were notably absent.
With space constraints and outdated layouts hindering both learning and creativity, it was clear that the retrofit needed to do much more than just a refresh.
Delivering a Smarter, Brighter Space
Working closely with the client team, our mission was to create spaces that felt both practical yet inspiring to the students. That meant optimising layouts to accommodate the growing number of students while encouraging group work and problem-solving. Advanced audio-visual installations were a must to support hybrid teaching and ensure the space was ready for modern learning methods.
The interiors were thoughtfully designed to balance practicality with a natural, welcoming aesthetic, providing an environment that truly supports creativity and learning.
The final design introduced flexible layouts, allowing for group-based learning and collaboration. Environmental upgrades improved lighting, ventilation, and energy efficiency, creating a space that’s as functional as it is comfortable.
Designing with Purpose
The design was centred around creating a warm, inviting atmosphere and providing practical, meaningful improvements that enhance the student experience and support the department’s educational goals. Natural materials were at the heart of this transformation – wood-effect finishes, moss wall, and timber elements brought a sense of calm and balance to the space, while soft-toned carpets and touches added comfort and approachability.
CLIENT
AREA
London
LOCATION
Imperial College London
Collaborating with the Client
From the start, we worked closely with the client, who provided a detailed brief to kick things off. Weekly meetings during the design Stages allowed us to fine-tune the design as the project evolved. Open lines of communication throughout both the design and construction phases ensured the client’s requirements were met – and in some cases, exceeded.
A New Benchmark for Student Spaces
The refurbishment of Level 5 has transformed the Electrical Engineering Building into a space that students genuinely enjoy using. The Imagine, Innovate, and Learn Labs are more than just classrooms – they’re hubs of creativity, teamwork, and critical thinking.
This refurbishment is a blueprint for the future of teaching spaces within the department. With Levels 3 and 4 set to follow in its footsteps, the Electrical Engineering Building is evolving into a space that reflects the university’s commitment to excellence in education and student experience.