Southside to rise from the ashes
Tuesday the 9 of May marked the most recent step in the transformation of Southside. The `bottoming out' ceremony celebrated the successful demolition of the `old concrete monstrosity ' and the beginning of building work to create a hall of residence fit for the 21st century.
The Rector, Sir Richard Sykes, said watching the progress of the project was akin to a "phoenix rising out of the ashes". He said, "at one point it seemed impossible" that the project would reach this point due to considerable problems raised by Westminster Council and local residences and the "torturous issue of knocking down a listed building".
The new Southside is scheduled to open in October 2007 at a cost of approximately £50 million. The rector commented that its is a "hell of a responsibility to bring it on in time".
The room rents for the new hall are as yet uncertain, but Felix has been informed weekly rent will be in the region of £140, compared to approximately £90 in the 1960s-built Southside.
Sameena Misbahuddin, Union President told Felix that, "while the new hall will be superb, we need to ensure that there is also affordable accommodation available".
As part of the ceremony a time capsule was buried at the site. Two lucky Imperial staff members were selected to have items of their choice buried. Dr Nicolas Cinosi, of Computational Mechanics, buried part of his PhD thesis and a selection of emails from his inbox including an email reminding him to renew library books and a confirmation of a successful bid on ebay.
Also included was a College prospectus, Imperial tie and photo of Sir Richard Sykes. However, no items from students or the Union were included in the capsule. Not even Felix was invited to add a copy of the students' newspaper (and the most widely read publication on campus) to the capsule.
