Ingleton Wood’s Colchester-based Mechanical Engineering team are proud to have supported Kingswood Arts, with their much-loved Grade II listed building in South London, in their journey towards a more energy-efficient and sustainable space.
Appointed to produce a comprehensive Energy Reduction Strategy and Feasibility Report, our team collaborated closely with the Client’s nominated architectural team to explore viable, low-carbon solutions tailored to the unique constraints of the historic site.
This important work was made possible thanks to funding from the Southwark Council Community Energy Fund, which supports local initiatives in cutting carbon emissions and reducing energy costs.
Practical, low-carbon solutions
Our team conducted a detailed technical review of the site’s current heating systems and energy performance, considering a range of low-carbon alternatives, including both air-source and ground-source heating systems.
Building fabric upgrade solutions were also analysed, which highlighted additional potential energy savings, including secondary glazing and roof insulation.
Each recommendation was assessed against several key factors to offer actionable insights and achievable pathways to reducing long-term energy use. Factors included;
- cost
- installation feasibility
- potential carbon savings
- implementation constraints due to the site's listed status
Evidence-based decision making
A key element of the study was the creation of a detailed dynamic thermal model by our M&E in-house Carbon Consultant.
This detailed simulation provided accurate insights into the building’s energy performance and allowed us to model different upgrade scenarios, from heating to building fabric improvements, resulting in bespoke data-backed recommendations.
The model also revealed additional opportunities for energy savings, including the enhancement of secondary glazing and additional roof insulation, offering the potential for substantial carbon and cost reductions while preserving the building’s architectural character.
A roadmap for improvement
Our energy reduction strategy outlines several key recommendations for the site, including:
- Replacing gas heating systems with air-source heat pumps
- Upgrading windows and roof insulation to reduce heat losses
- Implementing intelligent controls for better energy management
These proposals not only offer a strong return on investment but can also help ensure the long-term environmental and financial sustainability of the site, enabling Kingswood Arts to continue serving the community for years to come.
“Our team has proposed practical, scalable solutions that could drastically reduce energy use and support Kingswood Arts’ role as a cultural and community hub,” commented Harry White, Senior Building Services Engineer with Ingleton Wood. “By commissioning this type of feasibility study, Kingswood Arts are setting a positive example of how heritage sites can take informed steps toward long-term sustainability.”
Supporting a low-carbon built environment
This project reflects Ingleton Wood’s wider commitment to supporting clients across sectors in their journey toward a more sustainable, low-carbon future, especially where the challenges of retrofitting meet the complexities of heritage preservation.
We are proud to have played a key role in helping Kingswood Arts lead by example, showing that with the right approach, even older buildings can play a vital role in a greener future.
Matt Watts, of Reed Watts Architects, commented on the significance of Ingleton Wood’s contribution to Kingswood Arts’ long-term sustainability journey.
"With energy costs set to continue to rise, it's critical that organisations like Kingswood Arts can make informed decisions to reduce consumption. With listed buildings, this is even more important since the options for physical changes are limited. Ingleton Wood's study allows us to prioritise future work to ensure that the decisions we make have the greatest possible impact."
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