Construction and estate

Supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Kingston University's practices tie in with the United Nations SDGs, which aim to transform our world and promote prosperity for all while protecting our planet.

The University's policy on estates supports:

Our approach and commitment

Our commitment to being environmentally conscious and sustainable is at the forefront of new developments and refurbishments. Kingston University's Estates and Facilities strategy, has the mission statement to:

‘Achieve a high quality, sustainable and compliant estate that enhances the experience of students, staff and visitors while enabling the University to meet its objectives.'

All of our new and refurbished building projects follow a ‘Standard Specification and Design Guide' and campus specific ‘Construction Management Plans'. These documents embed minimum sustainability standards from the project conception, and identify, control and mitigate potential environmental impacts associated during construction and refurbishment phases.

Our approach and commitment

Investment

The River Hogsmill, by Kingston University

Over the past 10 years, Kingston University has considerably invested in a sustainable built estate.

  • In 2012, the Kingston University Business School Building was awarded a Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) ‘Excellent' rating.
  • In 2019, the major extension to the Kingston School of Art (KSA) Knights Park Campus achieved BREEAM 'Outstanding'. It delivers a 52% reduction in operational carbon emissions. The extension includes green roofs which support biodiversity and aid rainwater attenuation on the functional flood plain. Solar shading canopies are incorporated into the South facade, reducing peak solar gain by 60%. Showers are included to encourage cycling and support Kingston University's sustainable travel commitments.
  • The new Town House Building, which opened in 2020, has been rated BREEAM ‘Excellent' for its many sustainable features. These features include: a photovoltaic array, a large sustainable urban drainage system (SUDS), a thermally-active building system (TABS) for underfloor cooling, multiple brown roofs, two roof gardens and increased public landscaped areas, designed to support biodiversity and provide greater space, amenity and access for pedestrians.

Get in touch with the Sustainability Team

Estates and Sustainability
Services Building
Penrhyn Road Campus
Kingston upon Thames
KT1 2EE
United Kingdom
Tel: +44(0)20 8417 6520

Get in touch with the Sustainability Team