Cultural and Events Centre in London (UK)
Cultural Centre + Restaurant + Library + Offices
Honorable Mention Fondation Wilmotte Prix 2014 Competition
Team: Isabel Rivas, Javier Ureña
Area: 10000m2
OUR proposal aims to enhance the exterior areas of the Tower of London, preserving the visual Heritage and integrating the existing elements into a new place animated with activity.
Conceived as an underground space entirely opened to the moat, the new building lies in the excavated space of the previous plaza. It is an expression of both the urban and cultural landscape, phisically entwined in a sole architectural element. Urban and building design are considered as a whole.
The roof becomes a new public plaza which is also an undulating artifical landscape, inspired by the traditional english hill landscape. A series of perforations (patios) bring light into the building and articulate the different parts of the program. Visitors have several choices. Tourists can walk through the plaza all the way down to the main entrance of the Tower of London. Climbing the “hills”, those who seek the perfect picture can enjoy better views over the Tower and the river Thames.
Culture thirsty Londoners coming from the Tower Hill subway station and the bus stop can access the building directly, avoiding the crowded plaza. Office workers can enjoy a lunchtime snack sitting on the “hills”.
The new Cultural and Event Centre is not meant to be a landmark, but a vantage point focusing attention on the city landscape. Instead of imposing an ostentatious volume , the building is shaped in reaction to the site and the neighbouring elements.
