London and Bath-based architectural practice, Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios, have designed the new Condé Nast College of Fashion and Design. Based in a refurbished Georgian townhouse complex in Soho, London, just minutes away from Vogue House, the college offers a 10-week and a one-year course relation to the fashion industry.
The design brief was to create a multi-functional fashion and design school adaptable for both teaching and event hire. The scheme needed to convey a strong sense of the Condé Nast brand whilst fitting in with the Soho streetscape. Working with two existing inter-connected buildings FCBS have responded carefully to the rhythm and materials of the historic Georgian terrace characteristic of Greek Street and its neighbours.
The entrance to the building is steel plated and opens into a double-height lobby, overlooked by the gallery. A two metre high feature light in blue crocheted fabric by Naomi Paul and a mirrored wall in the foyer both express the design raison d’être of the college and make an immediate visual impact.
Both client and architect chose white as the defining interior colour to maximise light through the deep plan buildings, creating a bright, timeless interior and avoiding the potential for passing fads.
The mixed brickwork was left exposed to emphasize the historic importance of Soho and enlargement of the facing windows has added this texture to the interior.
The external areas have been remodelled with large open areas on the ground floor. There is a roof terrace at first floor level where students can work and a green roof has also been added.
The year-long course will begin in October – when 45 students, will begin and other courses – branded to other Conde Nast publication titles – are thought to be beginning after.
The students have unprecedented access to editors from the Condé Nast stable of fashion magazines and to other fashion insiders and big names in the industry. The first 10-week course included sessions with Alexandra Shulman (the editor of British Vogue), the CEO of Hermes and Tommy Hilfiger, among others. At the end of the course students are encouraged to apply for internships and work experiences in magazines and with retailers.
The Condé Nast College of Fashion & Design is based at 16-17 Greek Street, Soho, close to Vogue’s London headquarters, Vogue House.
Images courtesy of Nick Rochowski
