Grafton Architects completes Town House, the gate at Kingston University
29/01/2020.
[LON] UK
metalocus, ANA DIOSDADO
metalocus, ANA DIOSDADO
Grafton Architects have unveiled their first UK building, Town House, the mixed-use teaching building by Grafton Architects for Kingston University, has just opened in south-west London
Architecture studio Grafton Architects, who curated the 2018 Venice biennale, (and whose university building in Lima, Peru, awarded internationaly), was selected to design Town House in 2013, after a competition to replace an existing office building on campus.
Architecture studio Grafton Architects, who curated the 2018 Venice biennale, (and whose university building in Lima, Peru, awarded internationaly), was selected to design Town House in 2013, after a competition to replace an existing office building on campus.
“University is about moving you into a new space. It should make students feel good about themselves. Architecture’s a part of that.” said Steven Spier university’s vice-chancellor.
Town House at Kingston University by Grafton Architects. Photograph by Dennis Gilbert.
Town House at Kingston University by Grafton Architects. Photograph by Dennis Gilbert.
Town House at Kingston University by Grafton Architects. Photograph by Ed Reeve.
Town House at Kingston University by Grafton Architects. Photograph by Ed Reeve.
Town House at Kingston University by Grafton Architects. Photograph by Dennis Gilbert.
Town House at Kingston University by Grafton Architects. Photograph by Jim Stephenson.
Town House at Kingston University by Grafton Architects. Photograph by Ed Reeve.
Town House at Kingston University by Grafton Architects. Photograph by Dennis Gilbert.
Town House at Kingston University by Grafton Architects. Photograph by Ed Reeve.
Town House at Kingston University by Grafton Architects. Photograph by Ed Reeve.
Town House at Kingston University by Grafton Architects. Photograph by Ed Reeve.
Town House at Kingston University by Grafton Architects. Photograph by Ed Reeve.
Town House at Kingston University by Grafton Architects. Photograph by Ed Reeve.
Town House at Kingston University by Grafton Architects. Photograph by Dennis Gilbert.
Town House at Kingston University by Grafton Architects. Photograph by Ed Reeve.
Town House at Kingston University by Grafton Architects. Photograph by Alice Clancy.
Town House at Kingston University by Grafton Architects. Photograph by Alice Clancy.
Town House at Kingston University by Grafton Architects. Photograph by Alice Clancy.
Town House at Kingston University by Grafton Architects. Photograph by Alice Clancy.
Town House at Kingston University by Grafton Architects. Photograph by Ed Reeve.
Town House at Kingston University by Grafton Architects. Photograph by Ed Reeve.
Town House at Kingston University by Grafton Architects. Photograph by Ed Reeve.
Town House at Kingston University by Grafton Architects. Photograph by Ed Reeve.
Town House at Kingston University by Grafton Architects. Photograph by Ed Reeve.
Town House at Kingston University by Grafton Architects. Photograph by Ed Reeve.
Town House at Kingston University by Grafton Architects. Photograph by Ed Reeve.
Town House at Kingston University by Grafton Architects. Photograph by Ed Reeve.
Visualisation. Town House at Kingston University by Grafton Architects.
Site plan. Town House at Kingston University by Grafton Architects.
Site plan. Town House at Kingston University by Grafton Architects.
Ground floor plan. Town House at Kingston University by Grafton Architects.
First floor plan. Town House at Kingston University by Grafton Architects.
Second floor plan. Town House at Kingston University by Grafton Architects.
Third floor plan. Town House at Kingston University by Grafton Architects.
Fourth floor plan. Town House at Kingston University by Grafton Architects.
Fifth floor plan. Town House at Kingston University by Grafton Architects.
Section. Town House at Kingston University by Grafton Architects.
Section. Town House at Kingston University by Grafton Architects.
Section. Town House at Kingston University by Grafton Architects.
Section. Town House at Kingston University by Grafton Architects.
Town House, an open-plan library, takes the form of a series of interlocking volumes enveloped by a stone colonnades facade, mirroring the frontage of the Surrey County Council that is located adjacent to it, acting as "the university's front door and a gateway to Kingston upon Thames", the town in which it is located.
This €60m addition to Kingston University, now is open to the public. Its six generous storeys in height, contains the university's main library and archive, alongside dance studios, a dramatic triple-height performance space, adaptable learning spaces, and two cafes.
This €60m addition to Kingston University, now is open to the public. Its six generous storeys in height, contains the university's main library and archive, alongside dance studios, a dramatic triple-height performance space, adaptable learning spaces, and two cafes.
“We were attracted by the university’s radical ambition to mix things that are usually incompatible. The building takes pleasure in these abrasions, combining the two extremes of silence and noise,” says Yvonne Farrell of Grafton Architects
The second facade layer behind from the columns is built with brick and floor-to-ceiling windows. Inside, of Town House's 9,400-square-metre are dominated by pre-cast concrete finishes. The project focus on a triple height "covered courtyard", a performance space with a bleacher staircase.
"Occupants of Town House can always see what is happening throughout the building, encouraging collaboration and exchange and helping to facilitate learning as a social process. Grafton Architects' design radically reconfigures students' learning experience, creating spaces that are liberating and open, allowing informal learning, research and performance to take place organically under one roof," explained the studio.
Other important open question what a modern library is. If printed books still play their part, because, a library now for much of the time simply serves as the best place to lay your laptop. The important things in this kind of space include acoustics, lighting, space, wifi, affordable coffee and the comradely, but not distracting, presence of other students.
The building is complete with three cascading landscaped terraces on its upper levels that encourage external circulation throughout the building, while also offering views out over the town and River Thames. These outdoor spaces incorporate brown-roof technology to help the building absorb water while also enhancing sustainability.
Grafton Architects is a Dublin architecture studio founded in 1978 by Yvonne Farrell and Shelley McNamara. Last year, they were awarded the 2020 RIBA Royal Gold Medal for Architecture – becoming are the first all-woman pair to receive the prestigious prize in its 171-year history.
More information
Architects
Grafton Architects. Executive architect.- Grafton Architects
Collaborators
Structural engineers.- AKT II.
M&E consultation.- chapmanbdsp (Design Stage), DES Electrical/CMB Engineering (Construction Stage).
Project management and cost management.- Turner & Townsend.
Quantity surveyor.- Turner & Townsend.
Clerk of works (Civils & services).- Fulkers.
CDM advisory.- Turner & Townsend.
BIM advisory.- Turner & Townsend.
M&E consultation.- chapmanbdsp (Design Stage), DES Electrical/CMB Engineering (Construction Stage).
Project management and cost management.- Turner & Townsend.
Quantity surveyor.- Turner & Townsend.
Clerk of works (Civils & services).- Fulkers.
CDM advisory.- Turner & Townsend.
BIM advisory.- Turner & Townsend.
Client
Kingston University. Client technical team.- Architon Group Practice and MG Partnership.
Contractor
Willmott Dixon Construction (WDC).
Dates
Demolition of old building.- was completed in Summer 2016.
Construction of new building.- starts early 2017.
Completed.- 2019.
Construction of new building.- starts early 2017.
Completed.- 2019.
Area
9,400-square-metre.
Photography
Yvonne Farrell - Shelley McNamara. Grafton Architects
Grafton Architects was established in 1978. Directors Yvonne Farrell and Shelley McNamara are both graduates of UCD, are Fellows of the RIAI, are International Honorary Fellows of the RIBA and are elected members of Aosdána, the eminent Irish Art organisation.
Teachers at the School of Architecture at University College Dublin from 1976 to 2002, they have been visiting professors at Accademia d’Archittettura, Mendrisio, EPFL, Lausanne, held the Kenzo Tange chair at GSD Harvard and the Louis Kahn chair at Yale University.
They have been external examiners at numerous universities including Cambridge University and The London Metropolitan School of Architecture. As well as public lectures in Dublin and abroad, including the National Gallery of Ireland in Dublin and the Royal Academy in London, they have lectured widely in European and American Schools of Architecture.
Yvonne Farrell and Shelley McNamara. 2020 PRITZKER ARCHITECTURE PRIZE
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