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Sumit Singhal
Sumit Singhal loves modern architecture. He comes from a family of builders who have built more than 20 projects in the last ten years near Delhi in India. He has recently started writing about the architectural projects that catch his imagination. Greenwich Gateway Pavilions in London, UK by Marks Barfield ArchitectsMarch 7th, 2015 by Sumit Singhal
Article source: Marks Barfield Architects Marks Barfield Architect’s Gateway Pavilions are the first completed project in Knight Dragon’s ambitious and evolving vision for the Greenwich Peninsula. They mark a statement of intent, signalling the quality and character of the place they intend the Peninsula to become.  Image Courtesy © Marks Barfield Architects
 Image Courtesy © Marks Barfield Architects The combined buildings define the southern edge of Peninsular Square and act as a gateway leading south to the cable car and Central Park. A pair of curved glass pavilions, linked by a clear-span canopy, are inspired by geomagnetic lodestones which were used as early compasses enabling the great world voyages of discovery.- the maritime heritage for which Greenwich is famous. The canopy soffit traces a ‘magnetic field’ pattern linking the centres of the two pavilions and referencing Greenwich’s link with navigation and the meridian.  Image Courtesy © Marks Barfield Architects The pavilions contain a contemporary art gallery, offices, a cafe, restaurant, sky bar, charcuterie and marketing facilities. The 82m long patinated brass edge canopy – longer than the wing span of an Airbus A380 – is gently curved forming the last ‘ripple’ emanating from the geometry of the Dome and provides shelter for special artistic and community events as well as pop up markets. As visitors emerge from North Greenwich tube station and look to the right they will see the pavilions and also through them to the cable car along a line of latitude. The project was won as the result of an invited completion in Spring 2013. The choice of materials is influenced by the peninsula’s robust and varied industrial heritage. Submarine cables, ships, iron, steel, linoleum, cement, bronze, copper and brass were all made on the Peninsula. Brass, copper and other metal combinations, in particular, have been incorporated where possible as well as steel and concrete.  Image Courtesy © Marks Barfield Architects The high performance, curved glass has been specified to create a rich interplay of transparency and reflective sparkle – depending on light conditions, location on the building and time of day. The glass specification responds to the environmental and functional requirements of its orientation and location. For example the interstitial solar control coating is predominantly in the southern facing glass with clearer glass to the north. The ground floor entrance areas of the cladding are specified to be very transparent to invite and welcome people in. The angle of the two principal facades both open onto and address Peninsula Square while also creating a dialogue between the building entrances under the canopy. Elsewhere the glass becomes highly reflective mirroring the surrounding landscape, sky and buildings and creating internal privacy. Roof top levels of the pavilions are high enough to give visitors 360 degree views over North Greenwich Station towards Canary Wharf, the City of London, the Thames Estuary and beyond.  Image Courtesy © Marks Barfield Architects  Image Courtesy © Marks Barfield Architects  Image Courtesy © Marks Barfield Architects  Image Courtesy © Marks Barfield Architects
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