Two highly detailed buildings were designed, one for quasi-industrial activities, the other for the performing arts – dance, drama and film. Taking into consideration the client’s financial constraints, the solution in each case was an exposed steel frame of architectural quality, with long span beams designed compositely with high quality precast units, the exposed soffits of which formed the ceilings. A complex copper roof and wall were made feasible by the use of composite stressed skin timber and plywood panels.
The building profiles were extremely complex to suit the surrounding early 20th century buildings. With regard to sustainability, the future use of the buildings was considered in the design. This included large open spaces, future use of the technology building roof, and high thermal mass to assist heating and cooling. A build-over agreement of a major sewer was negotiated with Thames Water.
A highly efficient composite design which was straightforward to build was devised to minimise costs. This reduced the construction programme and the steelwork costs which were increasing significantly due to global demand. The project also used the Design Quality Indicator Scheme – a pioneering process for evaluating the design quality of buildings, which is being trail blazed by Camden.
