Client HAHC Education Ltd.
Location London, UK
Status Built
Awards
2008 Civic Trust Award Finalist
The Davidson Building at Hatcham College provides generous teaching facilities to the south side of Telegraph Hill Park. Reflecting the academic aspirations and historical reputation of the school, the new building successfully merges with the existing school buildings to create a single vision and ethos.
The design concept articulates a coherent succession of external spaces which define the perimeter of the college campus, creating a visual interface between the playground and the existing residential neighbourhood. A bold rectangular insertion cantilevers over one of the series of courtyards, and sensitively frames a view towards Crystal Palace Park.
The lecture theatres and drama studio facilities are constructed from a careful palette of contemporary materials including engineering brick at ground floor level and render and western red cedar timber cladding above. External works form a skilful interplay of hard and soft landscaping, responding to the existing gradient of the site.
Generously proportioned square timber handrails mirror vertical planes of the curtain walling with offset windows to create a playful and lively façade. Internal corridors consist of double height spaces with a generous amount of natural light.
