Why Skaters Need the Southbank Centre
Among the extensive discussion of Feilden Clegg Bradley‘s scheme to redesign the Southbank Centre in London, one issue which has sometimes been ignored by the architectural media has been the proposal to relocate the skate park in the under-croft of the Queen Elizabeth Hall to a space beneath the nearby Hungerford bridge.
Unsurprisingly, this decision has sparked a petition, which has collected nearly 40,000 signatures to save one of the UK’s most famous skating hotspots. We’ve talked about how skaters can teach architects about understanding space before; however, in this instance I would like to examine how skaters as a (sub)cultural entity interact with the city, and how the city can cater to their needs. Though many architects are already in favor of accepting skaters, I hope to explore why the wider community tends to see skating as a problem to be solved, and what this can reveal about the proposal at the Southbank Centre.
Read on to find out more about the peculiar way skaters experience cities…
University of Ulster’s Belfast City Campus Proposal / Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios
Designed by Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios, their proposal for the University of Ulster’s Belfast City Campus has recently received planning permission upon winning the competition in January 2012. The campus is part of a £250m higher education project to provide 70,000 sqm of central teaching, faculty and social learning accommodation across three linked sites in the Cathedral Quarter of Belfast city center. This high density urban university campus blurs the boundaries between the University environments and the city by providing publicly accessible thoroughfares and facilities across the lower three floors. More images and architects’ description after the break.
Farmiloe Building Redevelopment / Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios
Known for their conservation and creative re-use of historic buildings, Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios has been appointed to develop the Farmiloe Building, a landmark Victorian building in the heart of London’s Clerkenwell. They will now draw up plans to transform the 40,000 sq ft building into a commercial development that is in keeping with one of the capital’s most vibrant areas, which also includes a new building that will substantially increase the amount of commercial space. These changes will help in making a significant architectural addition to St. John Street. More images and architects’ description after the break.
Feilden Clegg Bradley selected to renew Southbank Centre
Today, the Southbank Centre announced its appointment of Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios (FCBS) as lead architect to refurbish and renew the Queen Elizabeth Hall, Purcell Room and Hayward Gallery complex. The UK-practice beat OMA, Heneghan Peng, Allies & Morrison, Eric Parry, van Heyningen & Haward and Grimshaw Architects to the job (see shortlist here). A formal appointment will be made after the statutory 10-day standstill period in accordance with EU regulations.
Rick Mather, Southbank Centre’s Masterplan Architect and a member of the selection panel, said: “We heard a huge amount of high quality and serious thinking demonstrating six quite different approaches to this part of the site. Feilden Clegg Bradley Studio’s proposals won because they best understood the Queen Elizabeth Hall, Purcell Room and Hayward Gallery complex and how it can be enjoyed and used more effectively. I look forward to seeing their designs develop over the coming months.”
Learn more after the break.
The Hive / Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios
Architect: Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios
Location: Worcester, England
Completion: February 2012
Client: University of Worcester and Worcestershire County Council
Photographs: Hufton & Crow
Power in Space Conference
Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios, in collaboration with Buro Happold are hosting an international conference this autumn and have invited an exciting range of speakers all of whom have great experience transforming old buildings for use in contemporary culture and performance.
Speakers include – from architects: Eric Parry, Steve Tompkins, Liza Fior; from project directors from the Tate, the RST and the V&A Futureplan; from international guests working in Versailles and Venice. And of course we have Peter Clegg from FCBS and Mike Cook from Buro Happold talking about the transformative power of space.
The early bird rate for tickets runs until September 20th. For more information, visit there website here.
Blackfriars Priory / Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios
Architects: Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios
Location: Gloucester, United Kingdom
Project Year: 2011
Project Area: 450 sqm
Photographs: Courtesy of Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios
Often the past is preserved but not necessarily made part of our future. We asked ourselves at the beginning of this project – how can Blackfriars Priory be rediscovered so that it becomes a relevant and vibrant place in Gloucester today? The Priory had lain dormant for almost 70 years with only occasional public access and little use. The brief was to transform the North and East Range of Blackfriars Priory into a flexible multi-function venue to allow the Priory to be used by the local community and businesses.
Broadcasting Place / Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios
Architects: Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios
Location: Leeds, England
Client: Downing and Leeds Metropolitan University
Budget: £50 million
Project Year: 2009
Photographs: Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios, Cloud9Photography & Sapa: Architectural Aluminium Solutions
