Eden Campus

Location: Kingston Upon Thames, Surrey

Brick Manufacturers: Ibstock PLC / Non-UK

Brick Names: White Glazed / Green Glazed

Architect: Darling Associates Architects

Brickwork Contractor: McLaughlin & Harvey

Eden Campus is a transformative mixed-use regeneration project in the heart of Kingston Upon Thames. Designed to establish a vibrant and sustainable urban quarter, the scheme will soon serve as the UK headquarters for multinational consumer goods company Unilever. It represents a bold and forward-thinking vision for modern workplace and residential development, set within a historically sensitive townscape.

The masterplan delivers 363,000 sq ft of Grade A office space, a landmark residential tower, and a flexible-use building offering 354 car parking spaces, 30% with electric vehicle charging, and 450 secure cycle spaces. With an emphasis on sustainability and mobility, the development responds to contemporary transport needs while promoting greener alternatives.

A key strength of Eden Campus lies in its sensitive integration with the local context. The design team took great care to respect the historic character and urban grain of Kingston, ensuring that the new buildings contribute positively to their surroundings. All four structures are embedded within a high-quality green public realm, crafted by award-winning landscape architects Gillespies. These spaces not only enhance biodiversity and environmental quality, but also foster community engagement and wellbeing.

Architecturally, the project champions sustainability and innovation. Delivered in close collaboration with supply chain partners, the façade system combines traditional and modern materials through a mixed-medium unitised solution. Central to this is Ash & Lacy’s MechSlip brickslip system, which offers the visual appeal of hand-laid brickwork with the precision and efficiency of modern off-site construction.

The brickslips, finished in distinctive green and white high-gloss tones, were pre-installed onto unitised panels using a silicone and grout mix. This approach provided structural flexibility during transport and enabled seamless installation on-site. The result is a striking façade that harmonises with the bespoke aluminium and glass architecture of the two primary Eden Campus blocks, particularly their elegantly curved forms.

The façade also incorporates Wicona’s Hydro Circal 75 aluminium system, produced from a minimum of 75% recycled post-consumer scrap. With a carbon footprint of just 2.3kg CO₂ per kg of aluminium, it is one of the most sustainable materials of its kind globally. Its inclusion reflects the project’s strong commitment to circular economy principles and environmental responsibility.

Eden Campus exemplifies how thoughtful, context-driven design, coupled with advanced materials and coordinated supply chain collaboration, can result in buildings that are not only architecturally compelling but also technically and environmentally exemplary. The Ash & Lacy Mechslip system has played a pivotal role in realising the project’s aesthetic and performance goals, delivering enduring value in both form and function.