30 PROJECT REPORT: HERITAGE & CONSERVATION
“The unique thing about Woolwich Works is the extreme adaptation of the buildings”
Matthew Curtis, Bennetts Associates PROJECT FACTFILE
Architect/principal designer: Bennetts Associates Contractor: Mace Conservation architect: Consarc Project manager: Turner & Townsend Quantity surveyor: Turner & Townsend Services consultant: Buro Happold Structural & civil engineer: Buro Happold
Theatre consultant: Sound Space Vision
Acoustic consultant: Gillieron Scott Design
Fire consultant: The Fire Surgery
Associates designed the only new build element of the project – a new foyer and ‘milling space’ that faces the courtyard and connects the east and west wings of the building. The practice described this as a significant intervention that was key in making sure the buildings were suitable for large scaled performances. The entrance foyer, box office, exhibition space, cafe and first floor rehearsal spaces are located in the east wing, while the west wing houses studio spaces on the first floor and ‘back of house’ provision – at ground level. The river-facing events space is within the north wing, along with office space. “It was our main chance to put in a piece of contemporary architecture that complements the other architecture, while not imposing itself on the heritage,” Curtis says. “It becomes the fourth side of the courtyard and is a natural extension to the architectural form of the central factory space.”
The new foyer building also provides important acoustic benefits acting as a “buffer” to the largest performance space. Where possible, hidden acoustic engineering elements were also incorporated into the buildings, but their listed status made this a challenge in some areas.
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The noise factor will be an ongoing consideration for the client when programming, as Woolwich Works CEO James Heaton explains: “We won’t be able to do stadium rock and roll shows,” while adding the space “naturally has an amazing room acoustic.” The venue will focus on jazz, folk, world, acoustic, and classical performances.
Building 40 (the Grade II* listed one) – is the smallest of the five, and has been restored to accommodate dance studios and the necessary support space. Buildings 17, 18, and 19 complete the ‘district,’ and are the three that have undergone short-term renovations – for theatre group Punchdrunk’s tenure. With the impact of the project on the local community such a focus, social sustainability formed a crucial part of the thinking and planning. The client’s focus was “delivering social value,” Curtis sums up, and this has been manifested in a variety of ways. One is that the construction team’s work with the local community meant they were able to provide eight full-time apprenticeship roles, volunteer more than 400 hours for local causes, and donate over £55,000 to charities.
ADF JANUARY 2022
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