ISG awarded contract to construct a highly sustainable sports facility at King's College, London

A £3.5 million project to construct a highly sustainable sports facility at the prestigious research-led university King’s College London has been awarded to ISG. Founded in 1829 by King George IV and the Duke of Wellington, King’s College London is one of the top 30 universities in the world in the 2011/2012 QS international world rankings and the fourth oldest in England.

King’s College London has a rich sporting tradition and enviable facilities for rugby, hockey, football, lacrosse and cricket used by 23,500 students and some 6,000 staff. The new BREEAM Excellent rated facility at the College’s Honor Oak Park sports ground in south east London – the original home of one of the oldest rugby clubs in England – will see ISG construct a two-storey building with changing facilities and function rooms to the ground floor and a first floor viewing gallery.

The project involves the construction of a traditional brick and block work building adjacent to one of the two artificial pitches which were installed in the first phase of the redevelopment, and will offer 10 changing rooms for use by the College’s hockey, football and rugby teams, along with visiting teams from other universities. The ground floor accommodation also includes function rooms with curtain walling to maximise the amount of natural light entering the building and affording views across the surrounding sports fields. A first floor viewing gallery will be of steel frame construction with an open plan configuration to provide spectators with a full 360 degree vista.

The site extends across a Roman road and ISG is working closely with a team of local archaeologists, who will be surveying and cataloguing any remains found ahead of the commencement of the main construction work. The new facility will incorporate highly efficient mechanical and electrical services and high performance building materials to achieve the targeted BREEAM Excellent environmental rating.

ISG’s Stuart Deverill, managing director - London, commented: “The project reflects King’s College London’s core focus on quality and environmental sustainability, and similar to all of the institution’s recent developments, the scheme is targeting an ambitious BREEAM rating. ISG’s existing relationship with King’s gives us an excellent understanding of these key drivers and commitments and working collaboratively with King’s College London we can ensure a successful outcome to this major sporting investment.”