'Topping out' ceremony at new Keyworth Street university building

Guests watched Professor David Eastwood cast the final plinth on top of a building which will house the Centre for Efficient and Renewable Energy in 2009.

Professor Eastwood, Chief Executive of the Higher Education Funding Council for England, described LSBU as "one of the most focussed and successful of London universities" and "a university of clarity of mission real commitment to its community".

The eight-storey building, designed by Grimshaw Architects, is in Keyworth Street and will have the latest ground source heating and cooling technology eliminating the need for heaters and chillers. Required drilling reached 28 metres. The block will also have a solar hot water system.

Also due to be housed in the new building is the university's Faculty of Health and Social Care.

13 months ago a time capsule was buried to mark the start of work on the building.

"This is the epicentre of London," said LSBU vice-chancellor Professor Deian Hopkin. "If you take a satellite picture and take a beam down from the middle of the M25 circle it lands on London South Bank University.

"This university was created out of public subscription to deal with the skills shortage in the late 19th century. Here we are today doing exactly the same thing."

The scheme is being developed in partnership with the NHS and receiving funding from the Higher Education Fundaing Council for England, the LDA, Dunhill Medical Trust. Guy's and St Thomas' Charity, The Wolfson Foundation and M&E Sustainability.

Earlier this year the university put some of its campus revdevelopment plans on hold in response to rising costs.