Richmond reveals move to new location on Chiswick Park in West London

Richmond (@RichmondUni), The American International University in London, the UK’s pioneering liberal arts university, is delighted to announce that planning permission has been approved for the University to move to a state of the art campus on Chiswick Park, West London this summer.

The move marks the first university to open in Chiswick.  The planning process with the London Borough of Hounslow included a public consultation with the local community which was overwhelmingly positive in response to the proposed move.*

Chiswick Park is four miles from the current campus in Richmond, with excellent links to public transport and central London and with a vibrant, local community of restaurants, cafes and shops.  With 72 companies currently based at Chiswick Park including Danone, Discovery, Starbucks and IMG, the location provides the University with new opportunities for internships and employment for students, links with local business and enterprises, and the chance for students to give back to the local community through the University’s unique service learning and environmental programmes. The University, working with the Council, has ensured that it is taking the steps necessary to improve its environmental impact in line with local and London-wide initiatives.

Professor Phil Deans, President and Vice Chancellor of the University, said,

“We have been considering different options for the future campus location over the last 18 months and are delighted to have found a new home in the innovative and award-winning Chiswick Park.

“This is a once in a generation opportunity to take the University forward and to improve the facilities and environment for all of our students, staff and faculty. The move to this new location during our 50^th year will offer the University significant opportunities. It will allow us to develop new relationships with both local businesses and the community and reimagine our future as the UK’s pioneering liberal arts university.”

Matt Coulson, CEO Chiswick Park Enjoy-Work, said:

“We are looking forward to welcoming the first university to Chiswick Park. This is a great fit for both Chiswick Park and the University as we will directly connect students and businesses.”

In preparation for the move which is scheduled to take place in July 2022, the University has been developing a range of options for managed student accommodation available from September next year with varying price, location, size and facilities.  These options will also feature the University’s award-winning student support system including Resident Assistants (RAs) and Resident Directors (RDs), who provide guidance, support and advice for students throughout their time at Richmond.

Sustainability is an important factor for students when choosing a university and the University’s environmental strategy has played a key role in the decision to move to Chiswick Park.   The Park’s modern and energy-efficient buildings and excellent public transport links mean that it is easy to access by bus, tube and train.  Cycling is actively encouraged with the availability of bike racks for both for short-term and long-term bike parking.

The campus building features extensive natural light and ventilation which, together with a displacement heating and cooling system, significantly reduces the requirement for air-conditioning. In addition, all of the energy used at Chiswick Park is sourced from renewable energy suppliers.

Over the coming months, students, staff and faculty will be involved with the design and fit-out plans for the new campus location, which is being managed by Ambit, a leading fit-out contractor based in London and the south-east.

Martin Evans, Managing Director of Ambit, said,

“We are so excited to be partnering with Richmond, The American International University in London, for the design and delivery of their campus facility on Chiswick Park, it’s great to be working with such a collaborative team with a common objective, made even more special with this being the University’s 50^th year, we can’t wait to see the doors open to students in the summer!”

The University will continue to provide some of its taught masters degrees at its facility in Kensington.

Photo credit Enjoy-Work