Sands End Arts and Community Centre
The new Sands End Arts and Community Centre has already won a prize – and it hasn’t even been built yet.
The centre’s design has been selected as one of the best in London at the New London Architecture Awards.
Hammersmith & Fulham Council has worked closely with residents, local stakeholders and architects Mae to design the award-winning centre at the disused Clancarty Lodge in South Park.
The centre – which is being built by the council but will be managed and run by local people – picked up the Culture and Community prize at the Guildhall last Wednesday (4 July).
The awards recognise projects which make a real contribution to London’s wider social and economic wellbeing.
“We’ve got big ambitions for the centre in enhancing the wellbeing of residents from all backgrounds and of all ages” said Cllr Ben Coleman, H&F Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Social Care.
“We’ve been working with residents throughout and I’m delighted that the judges have recognised the special quality of what is being brought to South Fulham".
The design
The design for the new building takes inspiration from 19th century glasshouses built by the horticulturalist James Veitch, which previously occupied the site in South Park until the 1980s.
Principal at Mae, Alex Ely said: “The centre will provide much needed community infrastructure offering generous, flexible and welcoming space.”
It will feature in an exhibition at the NLA Galleries in Bloomsbury from 14 July - October 2018, and in a free to download special publication by New London Architecture.
New arts and community centre
The new Sands End Arts and Community Centre is being built at no cost to residents, thanks to funding which the council has negotiated from developers. The funding includes £2million from Tideway as part of its community investment as it builds the super sewer and Chelsea FC is providing up to £1.6m via its community contribution for its new Stamford Bridge stadium.
The council has received both contributions. Works began on the community centre in March and are due to be completed in 2019.
The scheme will see the disused Clancarty Lodge refurbished and a new building constructed on the site to provide a range of bright, welcoming spaces for residents to use.
The centre will feature:
- a large community hall
- a new cafe facing the park
- flexible arts, community and nursery space
- bookable rooms
- improved landscaping.
As part of H&F Council’s approach of doing things ‘with residents and not to residents’, a community trust comprised of local residents will be established to run and operate the centre.
View more details on the new Sands End Arts and Community Centre.
To book the centre for your event, meeting or party, please email: welcome@seacc.uk
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