Sands End Arts and Community Centre Wins Major Architecture Award
Project in South Park wins Culture and Community prize - before it is even built!
The new Sands End Arts and Community Centre has won a prestigious award at the New London Architecture Awards - before it has even been built!
The centre, on the site of the disused Clancarty Lodge in the north west corner of Fulham's South Park, was named the Unbuilt Winner in the Culture and Community category.
The awards recognise projects which make a real contribution to London’s wider social and economic wellbeing.
Designed by a team led by Mae Architects, the new centre will restore the original Clancarty Lodge and extend it to provide a large community hall, plus flexible hall and cafe opening onto an arts courtyard, and connecting to the terrace of the original lodge via an open lobby area.
The centre will also have a number of public outdoor spaces, including the terrace, courtyard, community and nursery gardens and a walnut grove.
Hammersmith & Fulham Council says it has worked
closely with residents and local stakeholders to draw up designs for the new centre.
The original community centre, in the library in Broughton Road was sold six years ago by H&F Council's previous administration, despite protests from local residents.
In August 2016 the council announced that it intended creating the new centre in the lodge with a contribution of £2 million from Tideway, which is constructing a drive site for the Tideway Tunnel on nearby Carnwath Road.
Chelsea FC is also providing up to £1.6m via its community contribution for the redevelopment of Stamford Bridge.
The design for the new building takes inspiration from 19th century glasshouses built by the horticulturalist James Veitch, which previously occupied the site in South Park until the 1980s.
Principal at architects Mae, Alex Ely said: "The centre will provide much needed community infrastructure offering generous, flexible and welcoming space."
It will feature in an exhibition at the NLA Galleries in Bloomsbury from 14 July - October 2018, and in a special publication – available to download here for free.
A community trust comprised of local people will be set up to run and operate the centre.
"We’ve got big ambitions for the centre in enhancing the wellbeing of residents from all backgrounds and of all ages," said Cllr Ben Coleman, H&F Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Social Care.
"We’ve been working with residents throughout and I’m delighted that the judges have recognised the special quality of what is being brought to South Fulham."
Find out more about the new centre here.
July 12, 2018
