Boris Johnson honours new CSM building

by Line Elise Svanevik

Boris Johnson, the Mayor of London, has awarded his annual Planning Excellence award to the new Central Saint Martins (CSM) Granary Building.

Johnson awarded the prize to the architects firm Stanton Williams, development company Argent, the London Borough of Camden and the English Heritage, all of which contributed to the new college building.

The London Planning Awards recognise organisations that have made great contributions to London and award professionals who excel in urban development.

Johnson said: “The Granary Building is a stunning development that embraces the past while looking to the future.

Enriching

It has brought an enlightened focus to the wholesale regeneration of the surrounding area and is a project that matches my own vision for London.”

Jane Rapley, the Head of CSM, told the Arts London News, “It’s a key planning strategy to get something interesting, dynamic and enriching to set the tone for the rest of the area.”

The new CSM building, which hosts an estimated 4,000 students, dates back to 1851 when it was used as a granary, a storehouse for grain or animal feed.

Paul Williams, Director of Stanton Williams, commented on the redevelopment of the Kings Cross area, in particular CSM:

“From a planning point of view, the campus is offering something different in London, gathering all these fantastic students and introducing them at the heart of the scheme.

“It is wonderfully ambitious of University of the Arts, to be first on the block and it is now very much the beating heart of King’s Cross.

“The great thing about the project is that it will have an effect on the people and buildings surrounding it, and will hopefully attract like-minded people,” he added.