Balance of control and informality
Architecture 00 for the Ethical Property Company/ Social Justice & Human Rights Centre
Construction cost: £5.18m.
GIA: 5010m2
Building of the Year, supported by BLP Insurance
What began as the refurb of a former shoe polish factory became much more thanks to the ambition of the architect and its relationship with the client.
The old factory is stripped back and encased in a new concrete framed building with a large central light well. The ground floor entrance and central stair is generous but with enough intimacy for private meetings. The interior achieves a balance of control and informality, friendly and comfortable but also purposeful. A sawtooth zinc upper pavilion mirrors the former factory roof and provides a highly visible new identity for the centre.
At £1100/m2 and with a BREEAM excellent rating this project is extraordinary value for money, without any loss in quality.
See other winners in the RIBA Regional Awards 2015 – London