Derelict chapel to be restored by London South Bank University

The university has announced the names of seven companies commissioned to undertake design work for the two new buildings.

The current Student Union on Keyworth Street

Signature architects Grimshaw will design a new building for Keyworth Street on the site of the current Student Union. The building, developed in partnership with the NHS Strategic Health Authority for South East London, will provide new homes for the university's Faculty of Health and Social Care and the Education Departments, as well as facilities for Sports and Exercise Science.

The derelict chapel on Borough Road

Award winning Architects Lifschutz Davidson Sandilands, whose portfolio includes the redevelopment of the Oxo Tower, will design a new student hub, including a new student union and Primary Care Centre, on the site of the former Presbyterian chapel at the junction of Borough Road and Rotary Street. The project will include a re-redevelopment, refurbishment and extension of the Grade II listed chapel. LDS have partnered with Tangram Architects who will be providing specialist health care advice on the development of the Primary Care Centre which is being developed for the local Princess Street Group Practice on the site, supported by Southwark NHS Primary Care Trust.

The Presbyterian chapel, which dates from 1846, now is in very poor condition and has long featured on English Heritage's Buildings at Risk register. A previous failed scheme envisaged the building's incorporation into new premises for the National Film and Television School.

Vice Chancellor Professor Deian Hopkin, who sees the appointments as a major milestone, emphasised the partnership aspects of the schemes: "For the last three years this University has been working to ensure that it serves the needs of London and its citizens. It is very appropriate, therefore, that major themes of these buildings are health, social care, physical well-being and teacher training, all things that London needs so much. We have consulted widely and there is general agreement that the co-location of our provision makes admirable sense. We look forward to work closely with our partners to deliver sustainable buildings that will transform our capacity to develop the future workforce while at the same time creating an exciting new range of facilities for the community as well as our own students."