Kingston University Town House wins the prestigious EU Mies van der Rohe Award
Town House, Kingston University has been honoured with the highest accolade in European architecture, winning the EU Prize for Contemporary Architecture – Mies van der Rohe Award.
The EU Mies Award is awarded to single architectural works demonstrating excellence in conceptual, social, cultural and technical terms. It raises awareness of quality architecture and its contribution to the well-being of citizens and sustainable development in Europe. Town House is one of only three UK projects ever to have won the prestigious European Union prize.
Bold and inspirational
Designed by RIBA Gold medal winning Irish practice Grafton Architects, Town House was conceived as part of a bold vision to create an inspirational new learning space that also acted as a gateway to the University for local residents and businesses. Announcing Town House as this year’s winner, the jury praised the building’s remarkable environmental quality, generating ‘an emotional experience from within and through the multi-level façade colonnade.’
Kingston University Town House
BSF connectors enable clean architectural lines and maximise space
Invisible Connections’ high load BSF BC and BB connectors were used to join beams to columns, and beams to beams at multiple locations in the colonnade. By eliminating the requirement for corbels, BSF telescopic connectors create clean architectural lines and maximise space.
High load BSF BC and BB connectors were used to join beams to columns, and beams to beams, at multiple locations in the colonnade
Kingston University Town House
The colonnade at Kingston University Town House
The advantages of choosing heavy duty BSF connectors instead of traditional corbels include:
- Provides an invisible means of connection, enabling the architect to achieve their desired finish
- Can result in thinner, shorter and less complex columns, reducing material usage and embodied carbon
- Simplifies column detailing, manufacture and transportation
- Connects beams to beams, or beams to columns, and can accommodate round columns or skewed angle
BSF Beam to Beam (left) and Beam to Column (right) telescopic connectors
Modern methods of construction enable aesthetic, sustainability, safety and commercial outcomes to be achieved
The precast concrete frame is integral to Town House’s design. Exposed concrete runs throughout the entirety of the building and there are no surface fixings meaning it is open to close scrutiny.
A reduced-carbon concrete mix (36 per cent GGBS replacing OPC) was used for the structural frame to significantly lower the project’s carbon footprint.
The 6 storey landmark is 85% precast and was installed by a team of just 15 over 50,000 man hours with zero reportable incidents by PCE Limited for Willmott Dixon. Over 1,320 precast units include stairs, columns, beams, walls, slabs, architectural fins, and the magnificent bespoke precast auditorium.
Kingston University Town House showcases how aesthetic, sustainability, safety and commercial outcomes can be achieved using modern methods of construction. Congratulations to everyone involved in the design, manufacture, assembly and delivery of this outstanding project.
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