Delivering major facade remediation in a fully occupied hotel is as much an operational challenge as it is a technical one. It demands strict control of sequencing, logistics and risk whilst ensuring the business continues to run without disruption to guests and staff.
Appointed as Principal Contractor by EQ Hotels Ltd, Hamilton designed and delivered a facade solution that met stringent fire safety requirements while retaining the established character of the DoubleTree by Hilton hotel in Kingston upon Thames.
From the outset, the project was shaped by operational constraints. The hotel remained open throughout the works, requiring careful management of access, sequencing and public interfaces across all elevations, including the courtyard and the Skerne Road frontage.
Works were planned and phased to ensure guest experience wasn’t affected and staff operations as well as day-to-day business activity continued without interruption. The brief was the remediation of the existing cladding system and installation of a new External Wall Insulation solution.
This included the removal and replacement of cement boards, insulation, fire barriers and support rails. A Wetherby EWI system was installed to the courtyard elevations, with the facade fully reinstated using the refurbished original ceramic tiles to ensure the appearance of the building remained consistent with its previous architectural aesthetic.
A key technical challenge within the project related to the re-use of the existing façade cladding tiles. To facilitate this, the scaffolding design needed to be carefully considered. It had to support the additional load of stored tiles. It also needed to allow for the safe and efficient movement of materials, while ensuring the base of the scaffold enabled the hotel to continue operating seamlessly for residents and staff throughout the works.
Prior to removal, all tiles were photographed and individually labelled, allowing them to be reinstated in their exact original positions. Behind the façade, the existing supporting framework and fire stopping required remediation, meaning the final design solutions had to be developed around the existing structural layout to ensure compliance while maintaining the building’s original appearance.
This project was delivered under a design and build procurement route, with the design team developing a detailed facade package to RIBA Stage 4, allowing for a fixed-price contract that provided cost certainty for the client.
Architectural and facade design was delivered by Thruwall Facade & Cladding Design in collaboration with Hamilton’s in-house team with structural engineering support provided by Create Consulting.
Hamilton acted as Principal Designer under the Building Safety Act 2022 and CDM Regulations 2015, with Building Control approvals managed through CHPK / ACT Building Control.
The project was delivered between April and December 2025 with a peak workforce of around 30 operatives on site. Safety underpinned all activities throughout the project due to the live, public-facing environment. Strict controls were implemented to protect hotel guests, staff, suppliers, the public and site operatives at all times.
The completed facade is fully compliant with building and fire safety regulations while maintaining the hotel’s architectural identity.
This demonstrates Hamilton’s capability to deliver technically complex remediation works in occupied buildings. Success was achieved through planning, coordination and the ability to operate around live environments.
The project was led by Head of Operations Jack Norris, supported by Projects Manager Mirjet Koldashi and Quality Assessor Bogdan Bata.
Gallery
Completing a ten-month project of this complexity while ensuring the hotel remained fully operational is a real achievement for the whole team.
From our site team and operatives ensuring safety on a daily basis to the design and engineering teams developing solutions that balanced compliance with the building’s character, the success is the result of a real team effort.
“Close collaboration with our suppliers and the client was central to managing logistics and risk while keeping the hotel running smoothly. This project demonstrates what careful planning and strong teamwork can deliver and I’m proud of what we’ve delivered together.
Jack Norris, Hamilton’s Head of Operations
Great project to be a part of. Fantastic partnership to achieve these results in five months. What an amazing team Hamilton has - we were proud to be a part of this speedy service and success.
Charlie Reed, Head of Operations at Assemble Scaffolding Solutions Ltd
