Kingston School of Art facilities
Explore our world-class design facilities
Explore the world class Kingston School of Art facilities
At Kingston School of Art we believe in:
Thinking through making
We believe that students learn most about ideas, materials and techniques by being experimental practitioners. We therefore encourage maximum participation in creating tangible objects. Students use this to understand their medium and find a unique identity for their work.
Analogue to digital
We believe that students gain a true and deep understanding of making if given access to a spectrum of processes, from historic and traditional to contemporary and experimental. Consequently, we provide a vast range of tools and methodologies to explore and combine, from blacksmithing to laser cutting.
Collaboration
We believe that students – and ideas – are stimulated by sharing concepts and approaches, and by collaborating with people whose perspective is different. Therefore, we ensure all facilities are open to all Kingston School of Art students, regardless of their chosen field of study.
3D workshop facilities
A state-of-the-art space offering tools for metal work, model making, forge and foundry, as well as a ceramics studio, welding bay, woodworking mill, plaster room and digital prototyping suite. Bring your ideas to life in our 3D workshop.
Ceramics studio
Our ceramics studio includes a dedicated kiln room, advanced slab-rolling bench, jigger-jolly machines and a large 5-foot kiln for ambitious projects. With expert support, students engage in slip casting, glazing, mould-making and more, creating large-scale and intricate ceramic pieces.
Metal work
This versatile metalwork area provides everything needed for traditional and digital metal techniques, from toolmaking to CNC plasma cutting. Facilities include industrial lathes, milling tools and high-quality sheet metal equipment.
Model making
The model-making space is designed for creating detailed, small-scale models in wood, plastic and other model-making materials. Students have dedicated bench spaces to safely store projects while constructing their models.
Plaster room
With facilities for various mould-making and casting techniques, the plaster room offers a space to experiment with surface treatments and textures, exploring traditional and modern casting processes.
Forge and foundry
Students can experience traditional foundry work, including metal casting and the lost wax process, learning ancient methods in a modern academic setting.
Welding bay
Equipped for MIG, TIG, and ARC welding, our welding bay supports a range of fabrication needs with processes to join and shape both ferrous and non-ferrous metals.
Woodworking mill
Our woodworking mill offers tools for processing natural and man-made materials, from table saws to planers and routers, allowing students to prepare and finish materials for large-scale projects.
Broadcast and media facilities
Professional broadcast & media facilities for real-world training.
Digital making facility
The Digital Making facility is equipped with cutting-edge technology, including a Zund plotter, Laser cutters/engravers, 3D printers (FDM and SLS), and a 3-axis CNC router machine. This workshop operates as a bureau-based service, providing consultations with students to help them produce their work to the highest standard.
Each student receives personalised guidance on preparing their files and is supported throughout the file setup process, ensuring their projects are optimised for production on the available machines. This setup empowers students to bring their concepts to life, transforming ideas into physical objects using the latest design technology while simultaneously developing and expanding their skills within our growing digital process library.
We are actively investing in expanding these facilities to broaden access and create opportunities for students to independently use digital resources, fostering a mindset of digital thinking through making.
Digital media workshop
Power your creativity with industry-leading software and tools.
Fashion workshop: knitting and sewing facilities
Our fashion workshop offers everything you need to dive into your knitting and sewing projects. From beginner to advanced, our comprehensive facilities and on-site technicians are here to help bring your ideas to life.
hackSpace: a hub for innovation in electronics and programming
hackSpace is a collaborative environment where people with shared interests in technology, science, digital art, and electronics come together to create, learn, and innovate. This workspace is designed for students to explore electronics, programming, and physical computing. It was developed to meet the growing demand for a modern electronics and programming lab, providing an area where students can merge digital and physical mediums and experiment with new technologies.
Students must complete inductions to learn about the space and gain greater access to the available equipment. These inductions cover tools and software such as Arduino, Processing, and Fritzing, as well as coding in languages like C++, Java, and Python. This foundational training ensures safe and effective use of resources, empowering students to dive into their projects with confidence.
We actively support and collaborate on projects involving Arduino and Raspberry Pi, and also dedicate time to app and web design projects. We have three well-equipped soldering stations and the capability to create bespoke PCBs, incorporating teaching throughout the project process to help students learn while working on practical applications. Once inducted, students can freely use the space to prototype, create, and collaborate across disciplines, enhancing their learning experience through hands-on practice.
We also have a wide range of microcontrollers, sensors, and other equipment available on-site, and for most projects, students can loan out equipment instead of having to purchase it, making the workshop accessible and affordable for all.
Visit the hackSpace website for more information.
Immersive Lab
Immersive Lab is incredibly exciting workshop focused on immersive technologies such as VR and AR. The lab integrates 3D modelling and 3D scanning to support the creation of bustling, interactive spaces within digital environments.
To support projects related to these technologies, we have 10 high-performance PC gaming machines available. Additionally, we have Meta Quest 3 sets, providing high-quality interaction capabilities essential for developing advanced immersive projects.
Moving image workshop: filming, sound and animation studios
Explore professional studios and expert support for filming, sound recording and animation. Our state-of-the-art moving image workshop is designed for Kingston School of Art students from any discipline to explore filming, sound recording, animation and post-production six days a week. It is open six days a week for all Kingston School of Art students.
Photography workshop: professional studios and darkroom facilities
Kingston School of Art’s photography workshop provides professional facilities for all photography needs. Open six days a week, it’s accessible to students from all disciplines, creating a collaborative environment.
Music facilities: catering for every music genre
Studying music at Kingston University offers hands-on and academic experiences, with resources for every musical genre. From pop and rock, to experimental and multimedia, our facilities support your music-making, performing and producing. You’ll also have access to expert staff and advanced technology.
Printmaking studios
At Kingston School of Art, our printmaking studios allow students to explore a range of traditional and modern printmaking techniques. Open to all disciplines, these studios guide creativity through hands-on learning.