RIBA launches competition to redevelop £13m college

RIBA has launched an Invited Design Competition to find architect-led design teams interested in redeveloping Bird College, Sidcup, London.

The college provides education and professional training in dance, music and theatre performance, and provides music and junior dance services for the London borough of Bexley.

It is currently based in buildings over three sites in Sidcup, but requires more space for its growing student population. The college expects to undertake a capital project worth around £13m, and hopes to create 6,000m² of accommodation.

Interested teams will need to include the services of a structural engineer, M&E engineer and quantity surveyor as a minimum. Up to six teams will be invited to develop possible design approaches for the project. 

Shirley Coen, principal and chief executive of Bird College, commented: “I am delighted to be working in partnership with the RIBA on this competition to find a design team to help us deliver our vision for the future of Bird College. 

“This is a thrilling moment in time, for us, and we are excited about not only the end result but the journey that we are embarking upon. RIBA has been fantastic in helping us this far and I have no doubt will hand hold us all the way to the conclusion.”