The £65m GDV development by Build-to-Rent specialists Amro Partners is set to transform the vicinity of Kingston Station and become one of Europe’s most sustainable buildings.

The Rex sees a reuse of existing substructure and superstructure, thereby reusing the embodied carbon, for the provision of 202 homes comprising three elements of five, seven and nine storeys, together with co-working spaces, communal kitchen and dining facilities and a rooftop terrace with far-reaching views over London. 

Skelly & Couch designed environmental MEP services to stage 3b (planning). To help deliver a building that is net zero in operational energy, Skelly & Couch has taken a fabric-first approach with a proposed optimum building envelope performance and fenestrations throughout to reduce the energy demand plus: 

• Efficient mechanical ventilation systems will be provided to the domestic and non-domestic areas, supplemented with natural ventilation.

• Heating and hot water demand will be met by using a large Air Source Heat Pump array.A large Photovoltaic array will be installed. The renewable energy generated will be connected into the development’s electrical distribution system.

• Water conservation measures will also be part of the development.

The scheme has gained planning permission and is targeting BREEAM Outstanding, Fitwel 3* and WiredScore Platinum ratings.

The Rex is one of three Greater London developments by Amro Partners to which Skelly & Couch is contributing environmental engineering services in collaboration with architects HTA Design. The remaining two are The Wiltern, a striking Art Deco Build-to-Rent, 279-apartment building in Ealing, west London, and the Croydon Park Hotel in south London, a £200m GDV BTR project, which will deliver c.600 new homes and shared amenity spaces.