We recently completed the refurbishment and extension of the University of Westminster’s 29 Marylebone Road site in central London, creating Zone29 – a new home for careers and enterprise at the University.
Zone29 is dedicated to upskilling students and strengthening connections with business to prepare them for the world of work. The building supports the shaping of new relationships between the University and industry, unlocking talent and breaking down barriers. Delivered with Morgan Sindall Construction and Gardiner & Theobald, Zone29 is a place designed to empower and inspire students during their studies and at the start of their chosen careers.
This complex deep‑retrofit project transformed an existing 1960s office building, located close to the University’s Marylebone campus. A significant “cut and carve” approach was agreed following high‑level strategic analysis by ADP, which considered both refurbishment, and demolition and rebuild options. This retains a prominent London building while ensuring full accessibility. The resulting scheme delivers a low‑carbon, low‑emissions building with good air quality and daylighting, supporting both sustainability and wellbeing. A green roof was incorporated above the 8th floor, with bird and bat boxes integrated throughout to enhance biodiversity.
A new modern infill elevation for the annex building enhances the streetscape, mediating between the nine-storey building and the neighbouring red-brick, Edwardian mansion block. The project also added another level to the annex, providing extra floor area and a new roof terrace where people can reflect and recharge.
Despite its small footprint, the building accommodates a wide range of spaces on each floor to suit different working preferences – from calm, focused areas to highly collaborative environments. A new entrance provides step-free access into the building, with the façade opened up with glazing to create a welcoming, ‘shop-window’ approach.
Hosting a variety of employer-led activities, the building offers flexible spaces for students, alumni, businesses and the local community, including a maker space, digital studio, meeting rooms, event space and collaboration zones. Visitors arrive on the ground floor, known as ‘Gateway’, which includes a public café, while the top floor, ‘Horizon’, is a bright, open event space with views across the city.
At Zone29, employers are positioned as mentors, collaborators and partners, rather than simply recruiters. To reflect this, the spaces are professional without being intimidating, combining open, informal areas that support relationship‑building with practical zones for making, testing and learning by doing. They represent a step‑change from traditional teaching and learning environments, helping students build confidence by giving them real‑world exposure to how work happens through the co‑presence of local businesses.
Linsey Cole, Director of Business Engagement and Graduate Futures at the University of Westminster, said: “Zone29 has been designed to bring together our diverse community of students from all campuses, courses and levels of study, enabling them to work with each other, employers and the local community for the advancement of their future careers and businesses. The spaces within Zone29 have been carefully developed to maximise collaboration, enhance productivity and help our students meet their full potential. I’m excited to see how our community will make the most of this sector-leading space of careers and enterprise.”
Alessandra Foderaro, Deputy Director of Estates (Capital Development) at the University of Westminster, said: “The success of Zone29’s refurbishment was rooted in strong collaboration, with designers, contractors, users and the University Estates Team working closely together to address the challenges of adapting an existing building. The project team responded quickly to unforeseen site conditions, developing solutions that met the brief and delivering value for money. This resulted in a highly functional and inspiring space that truly works for its users.”
Jon Roylance, Higher Education Director, ADP Architecture, said: “Zone29 reflects new thinking in student and community-focused facilities that champion enterprise, inclusion, creativity, and innovation. We repurposed a former office building into a highly sustainable facility.
The project delivers social value through its strategic civic purpose and the resources available within the building, as well as during the design and construction journey, benefitting the University’s students and the wider community in both employment and education. ADP is delighted to have been part of the team supporting the University throughout this journey.”
Written by:
Higher Education Sector Director
Jon Roylance
