With the UK government committing £38 billion in education capital funding between 2025 and 2030, refurbishment is playing an increasingly important role in helping higher education facilities modernise existing estates to support evolving teaching, learning, and student experience requirements.
As an experienced refurbishment contractor specialising in education environments, Willmott Dixon Interiors understands the challenges involved in upgrading live university and college buildings while maintaining safe, functional spaces for students and staff.
Key Takeaways
- Refurbishment is helping universities modernise existing estates to support changing teaching methods, technology integration, and student expectations.
- Delivering projects within live education environments requires careful planning to minimise disruption, maintain safety, and meet fixed academic deadlines.
- Flexible and future-ready learning spaces improve student experience by supporting collaboration, wellbeing, and a range of learning styles.
- The London South Bank University project demonstrates how large-scale refurbishment can transform educational facilities while maximising existing buildings and infrastructure.
Importance of Refurbishment in the Education Sector
Refurbishment plays a vital role in helping universities and colleges adapt existing buildings to meet the demands of modern teaching and learning. It enables institutions to improve functionality, enhance student experience, and make better use of existing estates without the need for full redevelopment.
As expectations around flexibility, technology, and wellbeing continue to grow, refurbishment provides a practical and future-focused solution.
- Modern learning environments are enhanced by creating flexible, technology-enabled teaching and study spaces that support a range of learning styles.
- Student and staff experience is enhanced by upgrading classrooms, lecture theatres, libraries, and communal areas to create more engaging and functional environments.
- Existing estates are maximised by reconfiguring and upgrading buildings, making better use of space and extending asset lifespan.
- Sustainability is supported through the reuse and adaptation of buildings, reducing the need for new construction and lowering environmental impact.
- Future-proofing facilities delivers long-term value to meet evolving educational needs and operational requirements.
Delivering Education Projects With Minimal Disruption
Delivering refurbishment projects within live education environments requires careful coordination to ensure teaching and learning can continue safely and with minimal interruption.
Universities and colleges often remain operational throughout construction works, meaning programmes must be carefully planned and phased around academic activity. Clear communication, robust planning, and strict site management are essential to maintaining safe and functional campuses during delivery.
Meeting key academic milestones is a critical part of education sector projects, particularly where completion is aligned to term dates or student intake periods. This requires efficient programme management and a focus on timely delivery to ensure spaces are ready for use when needed. A right-first-time approach also helps reduce the need for post-completion works, with any follow-up activity scheduled outside of occupied hours to minimise disruption to students and staff.
Transforming Learning Spaces at London South Bank University
Willmott Dixon Interiors delivered the £47.35 million refurbishment of London South Bank University’s London Road Building, transforming the university’s largest facility at its Elephant and Castle campus into a modern learning environment.
The project required extensive remodelling within an existing structure, including increasing floor space, extending beyond the original footprint, and upgrading key facilities while supporting the university’s long-term campus redevelopment ambitions.
Our Solution
The refurbishment included a full recladding of the building, reconfigured reception and arrival areas, and the creation of additional library and teaching space through infilled roof voids.
New MEP systems and rooftop plant equipment were installed alongside upgraded sports facilities, external landscaping works, and enhanced academic environments designed to support collaboration, wellbeing, and flexible learning.
Key Project Outcomes
The completed project has delivered a modern, future-ready educational environment for students and staff:
- 191,000 sq ft of dedicated learning space has been created across the refurbished building.
- 15,000 sq ft of additional usable floor area was added through extensions and reconfigured spaces.
- A state-of-the-art library and modern study environments now support collaborative and independent learning.
- Enhanced sports and wellbeing facilities include an upgraded sports hall and a fully equipped gymnasium.
- Improved teaching and collaboration spaces feature open-access computer rooms, group study areas, and increased lecture capacity.
- The arrival experience has been transformed with a new entrance lobby, staircases, and lifts, improving accessibility and circulation.
- Industry recognition has been achieved through awards, including the Higher Education and Campus Award at the Architects’ Journal Retrofit Awards.
Higher Education Refurbishment from Willmott Dixon Interiors
Willmott Dixon Interiors is experienced in the refurbishment of education facilities, including university fit-out. Our specialist team understands the importance of creating learning environments that inspire students and staff to achieve.
“Delivering successful education refurbishment projects requires more than construction expertise alone. Creating modern learning environments within live campus settings demands careful planning, operational understanding, and a focus on delivering spaces that support students and staff long after project completion.”
– Adam Worrall, Managing Director, Willmott Dixon Interiors
Our transformation of London South Bank University’s London Road Building demonstrates this expertise in practice, with the delivery of modern teaching spaces, upgraded student facilities, and improved collaborative environments within a live campus setting.
Backed by 174 years of construction and refurbishment expertise, every project benefits from extensive sector knowledge, proven delivery capability, and a commitment to quality from concept through to completion.
Get in touch with our team today to discuss your next education refurbishment or university fit-out project, and how we can help.