University Centre Folkestone

University College is an amalgam of the creative arts departments of the University of Greenwich and Canterbury Christ Church University brought together in a new faculty in Folkestone. The University is an anchor tenant in the arts-led regeneration of the Old Town in Folkestone run by The Creative Foundation.

Three disparately laid out existing buildings, originally the home of the Glassworks in Folkestone, have been substantially refurbished and fitted out to provide studio accommodation for dance, music and creative media studios together with administrative and staff accommodation.

The three wings have been brought together by a new 'hub' building beneath a visually distinctive and toplit roof located above and marking the principal entrance to the faculty. This new building also provides the breakout and exhibition spaces for the facility, lifts, stairs and toilets.

Retaining existing buildings and reinvigorating them with new uses is the most sustainable way we have of using our existing building stock. The introduction of this new and dynamic facility also sustains the local community and acts as a catalyst for the regeneration of the Old Town around it.