A deep retrofit project, which addresses many of the problems facing universities today, such as how to adapt historic or legacy buildings to meet emerging requirements, sets the tone for the future of King’s as an elite learning institution.
The former government office, built in 1934, is transformed to provide state-of-the-art educational facilities, a centre for student services, and faculty offices. A contemporary extension will create a destination student hub that spans the lower floors of the building, with social and study spaces extending the activity of the newly pedestrianised Strand, to address King’s ambitions for student wellness and experiences.
Within the existing courtyard, the King’s Agora is a 160-seat, circular teaching and events space, a revolutionary new facility for learning, discourse, and assembly. Fully integrating space-planning and technology, a 360-degree screen arrangement will enable global conferencing and active distance participation.
KPF has maximised the potential of the existing irregular and complex floorplates, which will be restored to provide office space for academics and professional staff with improved efficiency and occupant well-being. The fabric of the existing building is being upgraded to provide a high-performance enclosure to reduce operational carbon, targeting BREEAM Outstanding, WELL Gold, and EnerPHit certification.
Where possible, the historic structure and fabric are retained and reused, with the King’s Agora maximising the structural potential of the existing slab and columns to reduce embodied carbon. Innovative ventilation systems, occupant comfort, biodiverse planting and natural daylight are all essential elements of the proposal to create a university campus for the 21st century.
