In 2009, heneghan peng architects won the competition, beating David Chipperfield, Raphael Vignoli and Wilkinson Air, as well as Allice & Morrison, Bennetts Associates, and Schmidt Hammer Lassen from Denmark. In the Irish concept, the jury led by Richard Rogers liked the restoration of the historic curved line of Stockwell Street, which overlooks the public space of the new complex - the graceful glazed facades of the gallery, cafes and exhibition halls.
The new complex of the School of Architecture with a total area of 17 thousand m2 is located next to the UNESCO World Heritage Site - Greenwich Marine Hospital - on a relatively small area of 0.64 hectares, between Stockwell Street, Nevada Street and King Wilhelm Lane. The building is located almost on the border with Greenwich Park. Compositionally, it represents five elongated and parallel blocks with narrow courtyards between them. Glazed ends face Stockwell Street. The library is located in the northern part of the site and is visually connected to the campus of the Old Naval Academy.
The heart of the new school is the studio space that occupies the entire ground floor. The seminar rooms located between the courtyards are designed by Irish architects as part of the environment. It will be an unusual and creative space for study, discussion, practice, etc.
Following the policy of the university, heneghan peng architects made their building as “green” as possible and complies with the international BREEAM standard both at the construction stage and in operation, for example, in the use of energy and water, organization of waste collection and disposal. Wildflowers will grow on the rooftops of his buildings. Since the university also encourages green modes of transport, the project has a space for bicycle parking, but only people with disabilities can park their cars there. The project also includes the creation of a new pedestrian street linking Stockwell Street with King William Lane, parallel to the railroad line.
The Stockwell Street building will significantly expand the university's "population", with an additional 1,700 students and 70 staff coming to downtown Greenwich every week.
N. K.
