Grafton Architects has submitted detailed planning proposals for a major new arts building at Kingston University in southwest London. The ambitious project, called the Middle Mill building, will span 4,827 square meters and serve as a comprehensive facility for the university's Kingston School of Art. The building will house artist studios, a lecture theater, student gallery, specialized arts and media facilities, a café, and enhanced technical facilities for art students.
The Dublin-based architectural firm won the competitive bidding process in early 2023, beating out renowned practices including Haworth Tompkins, Carmody Groarke, and Caruso St John. The project was initially budgeted at $27 million but later increased to $52 million during the tender process. This victory comes less than two years after Grafton's Town House project for the same university won the prestigious 2021 Stirling Prize, cementing the firm's relationship with Kingston University.
The development plan involves demolishing 120 existing student dormitory rooms located in Block A and Blocks G-L on the Middle Mill site, which sits southeast of the university's Knights Park Campus. The university emphasizes that the new design will incorporate environmentally friendly materials and feature an innovative north-facing sawtooth roofline designed to maximize natural light while reducing energy consumption. The building will use sustainably sourced wood and natural clay tile cladding to minimize carbon footprint and blend harmoniously with the surrounding architectural landscape.
Extensive improvements to the surrounding public spaces are planned in collaboration with landscape architecture firm FFLO. These enhancements will focus on increasing green spaces and wildlife areas, creating a vibrant creative district centered around the Stanley Picker Gallery. The outdoor improvements aim to transform the area into a dynamic hub for artistic activity and community engagement.
Shelley McNamara, principal director of Grafton Architects, explained the design philosophy behind the project. "We imagined an architecture which would respect the needs of the existing riverside ecosystem as well as the spatial needs of the University," she said. "This has generated a sense of soft edges – 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."
Kingston University Vice-Chancellor Steven Spier emphasized the institution's commitment to exceptional architectural design. "At Kingston University, we firmly believe world-class architectural design drives educational innovation and excellence, as we have seen with Grafton's Town House on the Penrhyn Road campus," he stated. "Exceptional 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."
The planning application has been submitted to the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames following extensive community consultation. The consultation process included two stages of pre-application meetings: the first conducted in autumn 2024, followed by a comprehensive six-week second-stage consultation this spring. The project involves a large team of specialists, including AKT II for structural and civil engineering, Atelier Ten for building services and sustainability consulting, FFLO for landscape architecture, and Buro Happold for acoustic and environmental consulting.
If approved by local planning authorities, Kingston University anticipates the Middle Mill building will be ready for student use during the 2029-30 academic year. The project represents a significant investment in arts education facilities and demonstrates the university's ongoing commitment to providing cutting-edge learning environments for its students.
