British Army’s new Kendrew Barracks’ accomodation block completed

Above: Representatives from Army, DIO and Volumec outside the new accommodation block for junior ranks. 
Courtesy DIO / Crown Copyright

The new Single Living Accommodation (SLA) blocks provide 126 en suite single bedspaces for junior ranks, senior ranks and officers, with utility rooms, drying rooms, kitchens and furnished communal space. The project was funded under the Army’s SLA Programme and was delivered by the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO), contracting to Volumec. 

The design of the modular SLA includes sustainable features such as solar harvesting, air source heat pumps and a SMART energy management system, which learns how the building is used through a multitude of sensor data to ensure it runs as efficiently as possible.

Brigadier Pete Quaite CBE, the Army’s Head of Infrastructure Plans, said: "Modular construction is enabling us to build more quickly, ensuring that more Army sites benefit from investment in new and improved infrastructure. These modern, energy efficient buildings demonstrate the high quality of accommodation being rolled out across our estate, to improve living conditions for our people while contributing to the Army’s efforts to operate more sustainably."

Warren Webster, DIO MPP Army Programme Director, said: "The handover of new single living accommodation at Kendrew Barracks is another milestone in our work to provide quality, sustainable infrastructure for the Army. We continue to learn from data gathered from these new buildings to improve their environmental credentials and the lived experience, while delivering better value for money."

Lt Col Jim Turner, Deputy Commander of Kendrew Barracks, said: "The new accommodation at Kendrew Barracks has been delivered to an impressive standard and will provide a modern, comfortable home for our soldiers and officers. The wellbeing of our people is a vital component of military capability, and we look forward to seeing the blocks fully occupied in the coming weeks."

Simon Rawson, Volumec Ltd Chief Executive Officer, said: "We see this project as a real testament to what can be achieved through genuine collaboration, along with shared vision, commitment, and trust. This has, without doubt, been one of the most rewarding projects to have been involved with. We are all so proud of the end product and to have played our part in delivering 126 much-needed modern living spaces."

DIO and Volumec are building another two SLA blocks for the Army at Wattisham and Weeton Barracks, with construction due to complete later this year.