King’s Cross Central > A Community Icon.
The new building structure is designed for ease of erection; the theme follows that of the original industrial aspiration of the Gasholder. The notion of movement is enshrined in the inherent flexibility this allows as new accommodation can be added easily and economically, plugging in to the circulation spaces and adapting the void spaces between the new structural frame elements; providing space for future extensions as the need arises.
The principal concept of the scheme is to treat the Gasholder as a frame through which elements of activity are inserted; tying the site together. The effect is of moving through the gasholders structure rather than being enclosed by it, and that is the image we wish to promote.
The major elements of stair and lift core, and ramp are positioned external to the gasholder, providing translucent circulation, which doubles up as signage, and illumination for the building.
The new steel frame gives flexibility for the future. The building has been designed so that future adaptations can be made and new structures can be added.
The container forms, inhabit the structure providing a classroom, library, event space, meeting space and areas to relax and enjoy.
The key needs of the site are addressed through a range of facilities that will engage the local and wider community.
The View, a top floor food and drink outlet offering a 360 degree panorama across the city, a rooftop garden, a public place rather than space, to relax and enjoy.
Ground play area and public space: A public meeting space for the local community and an area in constant use through a range of activities, climbing wall, mixed seating and ‘play’ surface areas; using recycled rubber.
The green-loading skin within the gasholder provides the passive cooling element to the building. As well as re-animating the structure they also provide shelter from the elements such as wind and rain.
The micro climate created offers a cooling oasis, the grey-water collection tank feeds a shallow reed-bed as a focus to the area, where nature and the urban collide; a place to stop, think and make contact, shared with the local school, this amenity affords opportunities for public activity, and safe play areas, a well lit 24hour hub a night garden.
The site is meshed with the surrounding area through the placement of seating forms that help you navigate your way to and from and through the site.
The new Seating forms surround and invade the structure, reaching out to the edges of the site defining its territory.
A School Extension breakout space: an extension to the local school. A breakout classroom and lounge/library to meet the ever growing needs of the local school.
Auditorium / performance event space and lecture/activity space: where people can get together, make associations, receive and provide information and share with the local school, plays, films, lectures, classes, night-classes etc.
Youth and Community Center: A space for the local residents to actively engage with their community, creating a specific place where the community can meet (such as PTA meetings, neighbourhood watch etc) mixing generations, table tennis, study groups etc.
Exhibition space: an open venue for local artists and designers as well as more established exhibitors. The space could create a link with (University of the Arts London), making a strong link to the local community; this would also bring in new visitors to the area. The main space acts as a traditional gallery and exhibition space even indoor market, with outer balcony overlooking the river. The smaller space adjacent is a digital projection environment for digital exhibitions and projections.
Photovoltaic Panels: The structure is an energy generator, consuming only what it can produce through the photovoltaic solar panels located at the pinnacles of the existing structure. The excess energy is also sold back to the national grid, generating a small surplus income that is reinvested in the maintenance of the structure itself.
Water Collection: Water collected from pockets/grooves in the ground floor space let water draft naturally into an underground reservoir, situated under the rubber landscape. The green roof also collects water, which is re-used into the building services.
The diverse communities of the Bronx brought together within shared space, a living vibrant 24 hour environment providing a link and a focus to a disconnected series of neighbourhoods.
