Kingston University’s Penrhyn Road refurbishment shortlisted for prestigious Education Estates award

The major refurbishment of the main building at Kingston University’s Penrhyn Road campus has been shortlisted for a prestigious Education Estates award.  

The phase one works, completed in June 2024, transformed the ground floor of the main building into a modern, accessible and flexible area with extensive social, learning and collaboration spaces for students and staff.  

The refurbishment involved full strip-out of the existing ground floor and construction of new public entrances, collaboration spaces, landscaped courtyards, kitchen and catering areas, toilets and other facilities.  

With a focus on developing contemporary and open spaces, the project delivered the University’s first Future Skills studios, a new dedicated area for student events and enhanced facilities for Kingston Students’ Union including a popular self-catering kitchen for students and a food vending area enhancing the range of options at Penrhyn Road. 

Design excellence was central to the project. The double-height Penrhyn Road atrium and redesigned Fassett Road entrance have improved accessibility and connectivity across the campus.  

The installation of high-performance glazing and insulation, energy-efficient ventilation and heating systems, new lighting and audio-visual equipment has further reduced the University’s carbon footprint – in line with our commitment to achieve net zero by 2039. 

The University has been shortlisted in the Refurbishment of the Year category of the Education Estates awards alongside seven other institutions. The award recognises a refurbishment project that has significantly improved an existing education building, enhancing its functionality, sustainability and overall user experience.  

Director of Estates and Sustainability Connor Wilson is set to represent the University at the Education Estates awards ceremony in October.  

“We’re delighted to be shortlisted for this prestigious award. The phase one refurbishment of the main building at the Penrhyn Road campus created a truly exceptional space for students and staff. It set a new benchmark in sustainability and design which has guided the refurbishment of the rest of the main building. The feedback from students and staff has been very positive.” 

The Education Estates Awards will be presented at the Kimpton Clocktower Hotel in Manchester on Tuesday 14 October 2025.

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