Kingston University | Student Union and Multi-faith Centre

This project consisted of converting a cellular office block into a new Student Union and Multi-Faith Centre in line with the changing role of the Student Union. The clear brief provided flexible spaces, an open break-out area, and closed meeting points.

Given the specific demographic of this university, one of the project’s main challenges was integrating multi-faith services into the building, including separated wash-rooms and prayer meeting spaces. As one of the key focus points was to ensure flexibility throughout, the prayer rooms were designed to subdivide by wall partitions into smaller meeting rooms which could be used on an ad-hoc basis.

Elementa worked closely with the rest of the design team to ensure services including fresh air provisions into the prayer rooms and appropriate lighting was designed so the space could be efficiently used when sub divided.

Elementa devised workshops with the Estates management team, faith advisor and student representative team to extract their requirements and ensure they were receiving a building fit for purpose and the changing role of the Student Union.

Kingston University have resulted in a building which is a unified home to their large multi-faith student population with a large student union break out area which can also be used for various events. Closed meeting spaces using cleverly designed acoustic pods are spread throughout the building for one-to-one sessions. The open space administrative areas have improved work-flow from the previous cellular set up.