Why did Goldsmiths need a new building?

Goldsmiths has encountered rapid expansion over the last two decades, producing a serious problem of overcrowding. The Visual Arts Department was spread over several locations, very little of which was 'fit for purpose'. In addition, a number of other departments within the College were severely overcrowded and lacked appropriate facilities. To retain its international reputation the College needed to develop, improve and expand its capabilities and could not do this without additional space and improved facilities.

The new complex will accommodate the Visual Arts Department, as well as the Centre for Cognition, Computation and Culture, and Goldsmiths Digital Studios, freeing up space within current buildings, which will be refurbished and utilised by other departments within the College.

How much did the new development cost?

The total cost was £10.2 million.

Where did the money come from?

The Ben Pimlott Building was funded through grants from the Higher Education Funding Council (£4.2m) with the balance being met from College reserves generated from building sales, in line with the College’s strategy to concentrate its estate on one campus. The proceeds from such sales are required to be ploughed back into the College's estate and are not available for 'day to day' expenditure.

Would the money not have been better spent on improving current resources?

No. However we improve our existing facilities, it would not provide the additional accommodation required for our expansion plan, which in itself, will provide additional income to the College and enable us to improve facilities elsewhere.

What are the buildings being used for?

The building houses studios for visual arts students, lecture theatres, offices, advanced digital media facilities and scientific laboratories, including a new Centre for Cognition, Culture and Computation.

The Centre brings together multi-disciplinary research on the scientific bases of cognition, with the study of cultural and sociological aspects of human cognition. It will investigate how people learn and remember information to maximise the effectiveness of teaching and learning, and explore the computational processes that underlie everyday processes such as understanding language.

Psychologists working in the building will be utilising the facilities to look at genetic, personality and social factors in addiction to drugs, alcohol and smoking, or recognising familiar objects. Work in cognitive anthropology will investigate the influence of culture and language on visual perception.

A new multi-disciplinary research and postgraduate teaching centre - Goldsmiths Digital Studios - will develop opportunities for cross-fertilisation between visual arts practice, design, computing, media and cultural theory.

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Were environmental and sustainability issues taken into account when constructing the building?

The buildings were designed with sustainable low energy requirements in mind, in line with Government targets to reduce energy consumption nationally, including the requirement to adhere to ozone depletion regulations. In addition, natural lighting and ventilation was used where possible.