Fashion designer Zandra Rhodes will officially open a new £5.9m teaching facility at the University for the Creative Arts (UCA) in Epsom.

The 71-year-old, who is chancellor of the UCA, will unveil the new three storey building on the university's Epsom campus on Wednesday, February 15.

The building will provide learning areas for specialist creative disciplines including fashion, digital media, photography and screen printing.

It houses a 200-seat auditorium, a new learning resource centre and a digital media centre.

The new teaching block was built to stringent environmental standards, with photovoltaic cells on the roof and solar water heating ensure at least 20 per cent of renewable energy is generated on site, and rainwater is harvested to flush the building’s toilets.

UCA’s Pro Vice-Chancellor for Corporate Resources Alan Cooke said: “We are delighted to be opening this exciting new facility. Its modern learning spaces will help provide an excellent experience for our students.”

The University for the Creative Arts has campuses in Canterbury, Epsom, Farnham, Maidstone and Rochester and is one of Europe’s largest specialist Universities of art, design, architecture, media and communication.

With around 7,000 students studying on a wide range of well-established courses, potential graphic designers’ work alongside budding journalists and pioneering fashion designers in a highly creative environment.

The official opening at 3pm on February 15, will be attended by the Mayor of Epsom and Ewell, councillor Sheila Carson.