Confetti Institute of Creative Technologies sought to establish their inaugural London campus within the newly refurbished property, The Amp. Situated in Whitechapel, this area of London has the highest number of creative businesses and startups, providing students with a direct avenue into the city’s creative and entertainment industries. Offering courses in film, production, music, and live events, Confetti envisioned a space that would offer access to industry-standard tools and immersive learning experiences.

Having carried out a full refurbishment of the property, The Amp, Oktra acted as the principal contractor for the project, working in collaboration with Allan Joyce Architects (AJA), the principal designer, to ensure build feasibility. Their design incorporated elements from The Amp’s base build while also accommodating acoustically sensitive areas. Coordination with the client’s contractor, White Mark, was crucial, particularly for acoustically treated spaces, to delineate scopes of work effectively.

Forming part of Nottingham Trent University, Confetti envisioned a space that would replicate the success of their Nottingham campus, ‘The Metronome’, also designed by AJA. The design of the London campus reflects their new location while maintaining alignment with the quality standards set by their Nottingham counterpart, utilising timber elements from the original design and ensuring that the space truly embodies the ethos and spirit of Confetti, offering a creative and dynamic environment for students and staff alike.

The project included notable technological solutions tailored to Confetti’s requirements, particularly for the studio spaces. Specialised sound studios equipped with lighting and sound desks provided by Solid State Logic alongside Dolby Atmos immersive audio technology exemplify the cutting-edge facilities designed to enhance music production education and industry relevance, providing day-one access to world-class facilities for students.

One of the main challenges encountered during the project was the construction of a new mezzanine and staircase connecting public spaces with the 600-capacity event area in The Amp. Overcoming logistical complexities in accommodating spaces for both student and public use required meticulous planning and coordination to ensure seamless integration and functionality. Through collaborative problem-solving and innovative solutions, Oktra successfully navigated these challenges to deliver a state-of-the-art campus for Confetti Institute of Creative Technologies in the heart of London’s creative hub.

Design: Oktra
Photography: Oliver Pohlmann