Embassy Gardens is a central feature of the redevelopment of Nine Elms and forms the backdrop to the new US Embassy. The blocks are arranged around raised courtyards where a varying building mass is composed to maximise views, daylight and amenity space.
The site in the center of London is adjacent to the large courtyard of St. Bartholomew’s Hospital. Founded in Smithfield in the 12th century, the hospital is the oldest in London and was founded at the same time as the St. Bartholomew the Great Church in 1123. Rahere founded the church and hospital “for the restoration of poor men.” Layers of history characterize this unique site, connecting deeply to the Medieval culture of London.
How can the Southmere Village Library offer a new state-of-the-art library and create a new focal point that meets the high ambitions of the Thamesmead redevelopment?
When considering the context of the proposed new library, one becomes fascinated by the great impact this place has had on the imagination of Londoners, and its influence in England’s greatest contribution to human culture – its literature. This hinterland, where South East London meets the marshes of Kent, and the River Thames meets the open seas under a vale of mist, has inspired some of the nation’s greatest artworks – the Thames Estuary is both a gateway to the world as captured by Turner and Canaletto, and a place of eerie mystery for HG Wells and famously where Charles Dickens’ Magwitch is imagined coming ashore.
The narrow deep plan of this tall terraced late 19th century building was ill-suited to its previous use as offices, with escape distances pre-determining the necessity for the centrally located lift and stair core that sub-divided the floor plate into small inflexible work spaces.
This configuration was, we recognised, ideally suited to the creation of residential space though, with naturally-lit rooms of domestic scale located to the front and rear, and support spaces located inboard around the retained central stairs and lift. A use further suggested by the domestic style of the Dutch-gabled brick front elevation.
The opening of the new children’s playground at Ashburnham Community School in West London was met with shrieks of delight, as the children got a first taste of the recently transformed school grounds. The project was initiated and funded by The Bryan Adams Foundation, that has been supporting the school since 2014, and designed by Foster + Partners, working closely with playground designers Made From Scratch. The refurbishment is a key part of the school’s strategy to create a holistic learning environment for its pupils. It replaces asphalt play areas with a dynamic mix of hard and soft surfaces, natural vegetation, and specially designed play structures for the school children, while also incorporating state-of-the-art sports courts.
Natural light was at the heart of this project. Born out of the need to expand a Victorian property for a growing family, the core ambition was to create a flexible living space that reflected a new approach to contemporary design, characterized by light and simplicity.
Commissioned by Historic Royal Palaces the RIBA award winning new night accommodation for the Tower Ravens’ re-presents the Ravens to the public, providing a focal point for expanded interpretation of these legendary residents of the Tower.
London-based practice Inglis Badrashi Loddo (IBLA) has completed the renovation, conversion and extension of Woolborough House in Barnes to create a new home for the Velehrad organisation.
Founded by the Czech refugee Father Jan Lang in 1964 from a house in Notting Hill, Velehrad London is a charitable organisation whose mission is to provide religious, cultural and social support and counselling to emigrees from the former Czechoslovakia.
The apartment is designed as a dynamic space, which takes different connotations through sliding walls that separate the ritual places of living, such as the kitchen and the bedroomThe space acquires a liquid dimension, where the visual cones overlap and stratifyThe different levels of the floor creates a hierarchy between the living and the sleeping areasThe furnishings are all individually designed and develop the idea of tailored space that avoids the general understanding of iconic design brands, connoting the apartment with a strong character and personality.The project pursues pleasure for details, which is expressed in the accurate design of all the elements that are part of it, from lighting to the flat number on the entrance door.The lamps are all custom made and express a personal research around this piece of furniture which can take on a spiritual and sensual character.The viewer must look closely at the work to discover the intimate details, in order to grasp the subtle and evanescent aspects. Pleasure for details, for dimensions, for the authentic and for the light, is the themes the project has faced.
When taking on this poorly planned out and ill functioning mid-terrace house, the solution was to turn the whole layout around.
The most dramatic change is the ground floor extension, creating a full width kitchen and dining room, with broad folding doors that lead straight out to a kitchen garden — but the impact is felt throughout the house. The flow has been redirected, drawing you straight through to the light filled living and dining space — but also allowing you to arrive, store you bike, hang your coat and put away your bag, in the ply-clad utility room. Filled floor to ceiling with rearrangeable shelving and integrated laundry rack, the room provides a dedicated space for the more day-to-day functions of a city home.
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