Form Architecture

Form Studio The existing building was historically a purpose built convenience store to serve the local community; this use had ceased and was operating as a commercial office at the time we purchased the property. The large triangular site at the front of the building was underused and as architects, we had a vision of creating a contemporary open plan work space as the existing Victorian form of smaller rooms was not suited to a studio environment. The design of the extension responds to the triangular site with a chamfered main entrance and canopy, the building splays on one side and the addition a contemporary bay on the opposite side responds to the chamfered bay of the original building. The triple aspect design provides a 180 degree outlook around the site and creates a light filled work space. The chamfered window reveals add architectural interest to an otherwise minimal white rendered facade and provides a harmonious relationship with the attached period building. The new landscaping around the site including Silver Birch trees, box and laurel hedging has created a dramatic addition to street scene.

SACC The BEST centre is a new stand-alone facility linked to Southend Adult Community College, to provide teaching opportunities to those returning to education or pursuing retraining in the business sector. The brief was to create an education facility that provided an office environment in contrast to that of a traditional educational building to better reflect the nature of the training within. The contemporary design of the building reflects this forward looking institution where modern methods of construction and materials have been used. The restricted site required the first floor to be cantilevered over two metres to retain existing car parking spaces and to create a contemporary structure with a lightweight appearance. Due to critical funding requirements, the building was constructed within 5 months; to enable this fast track method of construction, a timber frame structure with a zinc clad façade was employed. The project was also designed as an efficient low energy building with the use of sensor lighting and rainwater harvesting.

Kingsford School This project provided the existing East London school with much needed additional classrooms; lecture hall and study centre with supporting facilities. Kingsford became the first Confucius Classroom in the world representing London and the South East of England teaching Mandarin and Chinese. This speciality created a specific need for spaces which supported the schools extracurricular needs. In addition to teaching spaces provided for everyday use, the top floor of the building was designed to accommodate 22 dormitory rooms for visiting overseas students. The project also involved redevelopment of the existing external social and landscaped areas. This proposal was developed alongside KSA Surveyors.