We are pleased to confirm that the Camberwell Accessibility and Roof Replacement Project at Camberwell College of Arts, Peckham Road, is now complete.

This ambitious project is a major step towards making our historic buildings more inclusive, resilient and welcoming for students, staff and visitors at Camberwell. It brings together several years of careful planning, consultation and construction work on a complex Grade II listed site.

The project began with an accessibility audit in 2018, which identified the need for significant improvements to C and D Blocks. After a period of planning and design, building works started in April 2024 to remove physical barriers, improve facilities and protect the buildings for the future. As a result, step-free access is now available throughout both blocks.

Delivered with care and respect for the heritage of the site, this project reflects Camberwell’s commitment to access, equity and long-term investment in its buildings, supporting the needs of current and future students and staff.

Working with care, collaboration and community

Delivering a project of this scale on a live, listed campus required detailed planning, specialist construction methods and close collaboration across the community.

Throughout the project, we worked to:

Minimise disruption during term time by scheduling the most disruptive work over the summer.
Keep staff and students informed through regular updates, meetings and newsletters.
Put plans in place so teaching, learning and the student experience could continue with as little disruption as possible.
Engage with neighbouring organisations and local stakeholders.

Looking ahead

With the accessibility work now complete, C and D Blocks at Peckham Road offer fully step-free access and improved facilities that will support Camberwell’s academic community for years to come.

We would like to thank everyone across Camberwell College of Arts and UAL who adapted to temporary changes, supported the work and helped us reach this important milestone.

For any questions or further information, please contact:
camaccessproject@arts.ac.uk

Student FAQs

Updated December 2025

Why is this building work happening?

In 2018 we carried out an accessibility audit of our Victorian Buildings at Camberwell College of Arts (C and D Block). Following the audit, it was clear that work was needed to update the buildings on Peckham Road and make them more accessible. We then incorporated the recommendations of the report into a design which was drawn up by architects Levitt Bernstein to ensure our site is welcoming and accessible to all current and future students and staff. This work began 2024. By the end of the scheme, we will be looking at delivering step-free access throughout our Peckham Road site, complemented by facilities which ensure parity of access for all.

What work is planned?

From summer 2024 to the end of the year 2025, we are carrying out the Camberwell Accessibility and Roof Replacement Project. This work includes the establishment of an internal lift shaft in C Block, an external lift shaft on D Block and supporting internal works.

Alongside this, we have completed works to replace the roof in C Block in Summer 2024 and will be doing the same for D Block in 2025 to futureproof the building. Please see below for a summary of works.

What will the changes look and feel like?

By the end of the Project, students can expect to see several visible changes to C and D Blocks.

From the end of 2025, you can expect to see the start of the 2 extensions on D Block which will house new toilets and a new lift. Internally there will be work to ensure that corridors are fully accessible without the need for step access. There will also be a new accessible entrance to D Block and accessible WC on the ground floor.

C Block will have a new accessible entrance. Internally there will be a new lift which runs from the basement to the top floor and accompanying this there will be work carried out to ensure step free access on each floor along with renovated and new WCs in the eastern staircase. The lifts in both buildings will be evacuation lifts.

The improvements to C and D Block roofs will be less visible but will help futureproof the buildings for years to come.

External areas will be refreshed and newly landscaped between A/B and C/D Block.

Throughout the project, students will notice a large amount of scaffolding erected around either C or D Block in order to support the works. This is due to the listed nature of the site and complexity of the project. In addition to this, there will be a contractor compound around the front of the building from summer term onwards.

Will there be a lot of noise?

With all building work there is likely to be some level of noise disruption, but we are working closely with our contractors to ensure this is kept to a minimum. We are looking at several ways in which any noise occurring during term time can be kept to a minimum when work is happening during teaching periods.

Summary and timeline of works

Block C: 15 March – May 2024 

Scaffolding erected

Block D: June 2024 – September 2024 

Internal floor levelling 
Roofing works

Block C: June 2024 – March 2025 

Refurbishment of existing toilets
Lift structure construction 
Floor levelling/raising 
Block D lift extension starts

Block D: March 2025 – end of 2025 

Lift extension completion
An extension to house new toilets
Roofing works

Block C/D: June 2025 – end of 2025 

Entrance and landscape works 
Ramps 
Lift installation

How has the College been preparing for the site developments?

Over the past 2 years, we have been working with course teams to develop appropriate plans to support the works and support students. Where necessary, this has meant developing plans to ensure facilities and rooms throughout the site continue to function as required.

We have developed a comprehensive and robust strategy for ensuring the student experience on site is minimally affected. We have engaged with Academic, Technical and Administrative staff on a regular basis to develop a project which works for the College and its students.

What do these changes mean for students at the Peckham Road site of Camberwell College of Arts?

We are currently fine-tuning the exact studio allocation for impacted students across the campus, and we are working with academic and technical staff to ensure we mitigate any possible disruption to students through the year, paying particular attention to the requirements of each year group. Fine Art: Drawing, Fine Art: Painting and Fine Art: Photography students will be using studios across both Peckham Road and Wilson Road sites of the Camberwell Campus as Foundation has vacated Wilson Road in Summer 2024.

Technical Facilities (Letterpress and Photography) and the Camberwell Shop have moved to Wilson Road during this project. The technical resources will remain at Wilson Road until Summer 2026 at which point they will return to the Peckham Road site. This will allow us to look at further improvements in the C Block basement outside of the current project scope. The Camberwell Shop returned to Peckham Road in Summer 2025, ready for the next academic year.

As per usual, there will be no access to sites outside of term time.

Will this project impact student access to studios or workshops?

We have designed the project with student access to the site as a priority. Having carried out substantial planning with course teams and other staff around the project, we will be able to quickly implement alternative plans if necessary to ensure students’ studies are minimally impacted. We have put mitigations in place to ensure that, in the case of unforeseen events, we are able to provide you with everything required by your course.

What consultation has there been with students and staff on the process?

We have met with student reps and will continue to engage with them on a regular basis during the project, to ensure they are kept up to date with the latest developments and what this will mean for the current students of the site.

Staff in affected areas have been invited to fortnightly operational meetings to explore the project in detail. Meetings looked at the finer details and have focused on developing robust mitigation and project planning so the College can continue to work successfully for the duration of the project and ensure that students and staff are supported. We will continue to carry out these meetings to ensure staff are aware of any developments in the programme and for transparency in decision making.

How will students be kept up to date with developments regarding site development?

We will update students throughout the duration of the project with the latest developments through student newsletters, on Workflow and via course teams. We will also update these FAQs as the works progress. Affected student groups will have ongoing engagement sessions. Course leaders will also be kept fully up to date with the progress of the project.

We would also encourage students with any queries to email camaccessproject@arts.ac.uk

Camberwell Accessibility and Roof Replacement Project

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