Landmark building for Kingston University

Main contractor Willmott Dixon has been awarded the £41M contract to build Kingston University’s landmark Town House building.

The Town House will be a key feature of the University’s Penrhyn Road campus and is the first phase of its £260M programme to transform the entire estate.

The new building will act as the University’s front door, providing information and assistance, showcasing achievements and supporting collaborations with industry and the arts.

It will include a learning resources centre with library, a covered courtyard designed for events, innovative learning and local civic engagement opportunities, plus specialist space providing flexible learning areas for academic dance courses.

Designed by RIBA award winning Grafton Architects, construction of the Town House is set to start this Spring, with completion for the start of the academic year in 2019.

The building replaces an outdated, temporary building with a new environmentally sustainable BREEAM ‘Excellent’ high quality design that offers a vibrant new face to the University and a welcoming gateway to Kingston upon Thames.

Acting Vice-Chancellor Professor Steven Spier said: “The Town House will be transformational – a place in which students, staff and local people alike will be able to learn and develop.”