{"id":242944,"date":"2025-11-04T08:16:27","date_gmt":"2025-11-04T08:16:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/242944\/"},"modified":"2025-11-04T08:16:27","modified_gmt":"2025-11-04T08:16:27","slug":"grafton-submits-plans-for-latest-kingston-university-scheme","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/242944\/","title":{"rendered":"Grafton submits plans for latest Kingston University scheme"},"content":{"rendered":"

The 4,827m\u00b2 scheme, known as the Middle Mill building, will provide studios, a lecture theatre, student gallery, specialist arts and media facilities, caf\u00e9 and \u2018enhanced technical facilities\u2019 for those studying at the south-west London university\u2019s Kingston School of Art.<\/p>\n

The Dublin-based practice won the competition<\/a> in early 2023 for the landmark project \u2013 then budgeted at \u00a322 million but later tendered<\/a> at \u00a342 million \u2013 selected from a shortlist ahead of the likes of Haworth Tompkins, Carmody Groarke and Caruso St John<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The victory came less than two years after Grafton\u2019s Town House<\/a> scheme for the university won the 2021 Stirling Prize<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The latest scheme involves the demolition of 120 student bedrooms (Block A and Blocks G-L) on the Middle Mill site to the south-east of the university\u2019s Knights Park Campus.<\/p>\n

According to the university, the design will incorporate a range of green materials and an \u2018innovative\u2019 north-light, sawtooth roofline to maximise natural light and reduce energy consumption.<\/p>\n

The scheme, which has been submitted to Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames<\/a>, will feature \u2018sustainably sourced\u2019 wood and natural clay tile cladding in a bid to reduce embodied carbon and \u2018harmonise with the surrounding architecture, blending contemporary design with local character\u2019.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\"\"<\/p>\n

Outside, significant improvements to the public realm designed with FFLO are planned to \u2018enhance greening and wilding and create a vibrant creative quarter\u2019, with the Stanley Picker Gallery<\/a> at its heart.<\/p>\n

Principal director of Grafton Architects Shelley McNamara said: \u2018We imagined an architecture which would respect the needs of the existing riverside ecosystem as well as the spatial needs of the University.<\/p>\n

\u2018This has generated a sense of \u201csoft edges\u201d \u2013 a gentle shoreline between the river-world and man-made ground. We know of no other university building so close to such a unique confluence of natural riches and possessing such an otherworldly atmosphere, which is so conducive to study, contemplation, discovery and social delight.\u2019<\/p>\n

The university\u2019s vice-chancellor, Steven Spier, added: \u2018At Kingston University, we firmly believe world-class architectural design drives educational innovation and excellence, as we have seen with Grafton\u2019s Town House on the Penrhyn Road campus.<\/p>\n

\u2018Exceptional buildings have a transformative impact on students, staff and the wider community alike, providing an environment in which creativity, collaboration and shared learning truly flourish.\u2019<\/p>\n

The final design followed two stages of pre-application consultation: the first in autumn 2024; then a six-week second stage consultation this spring.<\/p>\n

Subject to approval, the university hopes the building will be ready for use during the 2029-30 academic year.<\/p>\n

Project team<\/p>\n

Architects, principal designer and lead consultant Grafton Architects
Structural and civil engineering AKT II
Building services and lighting consultant Atelier Ten
Landscape Architecture FFLO
Sustainability, environmental and BREEAM adviser Atelier Ten
Fa\u00e7ade design engineer AKT II
Fa\u00e7ade and roof access consultant AKT II & Hilson Moran
Flood risk and hydrology consultant AKT II & Waterco
AV\/IT consultant PTS Group
Acoustic, air quality, ecology, access, security,transport, waste, arboricultural and daylight consultant\u00a0\u00a0 Buro Happold
Signage and wayfinding Steer Group
BIM (design stage) consultant BIM Technologies
Commissioning manager Banyards
Visualisation and VIA consultant Hayes Davidson
Project management Arcadis
Cost consultants RLB
Planning consultants Bidwells
Communications Grayling
Principal designer under building regulations Collation
Fire safety engineering Osborn
Catering consultants Keith Winton
Archaeology consultants Hawk Heritage<\/p>\n

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