KENLEY AERODROME

Kenley VGS is a fantastic new build training centre where young people can learn to fly at Kenley Aerodrome. Kenley Aerodrome is home to the most intact airfield from World War II. BPR Architects have been working closely with the Reserve Forces and Cadets’ Association for Greater London to restore the gliding facilities at the site. The site in Kenley is part of the metropolitan green belt and a designated site of importance for nature conservation. Used by the RAF, Surrey Hill Gliders and local community, stakeholder engagement was key to securing the future use of the site.

Our work involved installing a new secure perimeter fence to the airfield and new build single storey gliding centre. The single storey building was designed to be in keeping with the historic buildings located elsewhere around the site, but a striking modern form evolved from the shape of a gliders wing. The new centre boasts a large glulam entrance lobby which connect the building to the airfield beyond.

Client

RFCA for GL

Services Engineer

Hitek Consultants

Sustainability Consultants

Envision

Quantity Surveyor

Philip Uren & Co

Structural Engineer

QED Structures

Contractor

Beard Construction

Historical Significance

We worked closely with the local authority and archaeological experts during the works at Kenley to ensure that none of the areas of historical significance on site were disturbed. We understand the importance of working in sites of historical significance and preserving our history for future generations.

Biodiversity

Despite being a hard-landscaped site, we were able to incorporate Bat Boxes into the design to help with the biodiversity of the wider site.

New facility

The combination of the works at Kenley and a proposed accommodation centre at Coulsdon will create a new enhanced facility for the RAF.

Further details about our Coulsdon project can be found here:
Coulsdon Cadet Accommodation