Architecture studio AOC gave this local community centre in south London a textured, herringbone-patterned facade to reference a mock-Tudor pub across the street (+ slideshow).
The 300-square-metre centre overlooks Nunhead Green in the London Borough of Southwark, and is the first developing to be finished as portion of AOC’s masterplan for the region.
It follows the overhaul of the green itself, and precedes the completion of new housing.
The Green, named after the adjacent park, is made to host a range of neighborhood activates, ranging from new-wave taekwondo and football for beneath fives, to jumble income, children’s events and wakes.
The developing takes its cues from the area’s present architecture, borrowing its red brick construction from close by Victorian terraced housing and its herringbone relief facade from the neighbouring pub.
“The constructing samples the types, supplies and myths of Nunhead to create a contemporary developing that is distinct to the place and resonates with it truly is previous,” mentioned the London-based practice.
“The building takes the form of a big public house,” it added, “a two storey, pitched-roof building that can make a positive contribution to the ad-hoc ensemble of masonry buildings that have evolved close to the green over the last 200 years.”
Windows set into a chimney-like protrusion from the roof act as a lantern at night when illuminated from inside of. This feature is intended to reference the chimneys of the green’s Victorian almshouses – a sort of charitable housing that dates back to the 10th century.
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“The super-scaled herringbone relief brickwork that animates the major elevation is an enlarged edition of the neighbouring Tudorbethan pub’s brickwork, giving a civic monumentality to a modest scaled creating,” explained the studio.
“The homogeneity of the brick and matching mortar guarantees the tiny developing has a huge mass, offering it a robust presence amongst its bigger neighbours,” it added.
The creating is set back from the internet site boundary to form a pedestrianised location all around the west end of the green, which the architects hope will motivate gatherings to spill out onto the adjacent park.
A balcony extends more than the street-dealing with entrance and is painted bright green to match other street furnishings in the redevelopment area.
Signage built into the upper balustrade provides a billboard for the local community centre, whilst a steel cut-out of Jenny Hill supports a single corner. The Victorian music hall performer is buried in close by Nunhead cemetery, and the architects felt her stage name – The Important Spark – resonated with the project’s goal of being a catalyst for the neighbourhood’s regeneration.
This front facade also characteristics a developed-in bench, noticeboard window and glass doors that offer glimpses through the developing to the backyard beyond.
Within, red- and green-lacquered glulam beams and Douglas fir define a series of rooms arranged around a double-height atrium and staircase.
This central area is meant to offer a multi-goal area – a cafe, foyer or performance space – which hyperlinks to the kitchen at the rear.
“Exposed timber joists animate the ceiling and the walls are red-stained Douglas fir ply, the rich grain offering an financial lining with a luxurious character,” mentioned the studio.
The neighborhood centre replaces two 1970s council buildings, which were forced to shut due to substantial running expenses.
The architects place in place a series of power efficiency measures to make sure its economic viability. The undertaking was awarded a BREEAM sustainability rating of superb – in component due to its hugely insulated walls, which hold heating expenses reduced.
The centre is run by Nunhead Voice, a charitable entire body formed by a group of regional residents and volunteers.
Photography is by Tim Soar.
Undertaking credits:
Architect: AOC
Venture team: Tom Coward, Daisy Froud, John Edwards
Client: Southwark Council
Structural engineer: Engineers HRW
Solutions engineer: Synergy Consulting Engineers
Amount surveyor: Appleyard and Trew
Transport advisor: WSP Group
Contractor: Neilcott
3D diagram – click for greater image 
Spot program – click for greater picture 
Site program – click for more substantial image 
Ground floor plan – click for greater image 
Very first floor strategy – click for larger image 
Cross section – click for more substantial image 
Long area – click for bigger picture
