The Kensington Building

PROJECT: The Kensington Building LOCATION: London, UK SIZE: Site area - 2,975 m2 NIA - 11,858 m2 GIA - 15,195 m2 GEA - 15,802 m2 STATUS: Complete - March 2022 BACKGROUND Located at the corner of Kensington High Street and Wrights Lane, 127 Kensington High Street was the former site of the department store Pontings. Now known as The Kensington Building, the bleak, 1970s edifice has been transformed into a mixed-use development that delivers 95,000ft2 of BREEAM Excellent and WELL Standard Gold workspace and 34,000ft2 of retail space. The people-centred design also incorporates12,329ft2 of terraces, promoting bio-diversity and enhancing everyday wellbeing and work-life quality. The remodelling of the building provides improved connectivity with Kensington High Street Underground station via the lively new retail arcade. The Kensington Building is an example of how retail can be reimagined. Through flexible and sustainable architecture, the redundant department store is now delivering relevant and adaptable, mixed-use accommodation. THE CHALLENGE AND OPPORTUNITY The mid-70s building left a legacy that presented both challenge and opportunity. The challenge was urbanistic; an aggressive, brutalist structure that eroded the historic definition of the surrounding streets. The architectural response restored the building’s visual alignment on Wrights Lane with high quality brick and stone elevations, sensitive to the traditions of the neighbourhood. Although contemporary, the building now sits comfortably within its location on Kensington High Street. The opportunity was generosity of space; a lofty interior allowed the building to be extended and renovated with both creativity and integrity. Its generous ceiling heights and high floor loadings allied to a regular grid allowed the radical reconfiguration of the building without requiring its demolition. SUSTAINABLE DESIGN • By remodelling an outdated structure, there have been significant savings in terms of energy and emissions when compared with building from scratch. • 100% of total excavation waste has been diverted from landfill. • 99% of total construction and demolition waste has been diverted from landfill. • 100% of electricity comes from a renewable source. • Re-purposing the building’s existing frame has reduced CO2 emissions by 31.2%. ACHIEVEMENTS • BREAAM - Excellent • EPC - B Rating • WELL Standard - Gold • WiredScore - Platinum • Whole Life Carbon - (60 Years - A1 - C4) 1050kg / CO2E / m2 / GIA.