But just because the streets are quiet, it doesn’t mean that the capital has stopped. Far from it in fact.
Behind closed doors, London’s leading architects are playing with extraordinary ideas. And today, Adam Richards has released designs that prove that lockdown isn’t impacting the creativity of our country's most acclaimed architectural firms. Adam Richards Architects is an award-winning architectural practice. The London and Sussex based architects are known for their works in arts, cultural, heritage and residential projects.
Like most of us, they’re busy making plans for when the lockdown lifts. And from their London homes, they’ve released the designs for a new education facility for Walmer Castle in Kent.
The proposed learning center and cafe is set within extensive gardens, and will be a new reason to visit this historical location. The site was once residence of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, and Adam Richards project will be the first new substantial building built on the site for 145 years.
The build has been commissioned by English Heritage, and evokes the qualities of the 16th century castle. The proposed facing bricks have a handmade quality, and are bonded in a strikingly sculptural fashion.
The designs show a quietly-confident, one storey brick building. It’s refined frontage stands proud, and once inside, you’ll enter a single main room. This space is dedicated to group education, featuring a five-pointed Tudor arc-shaped window that frames a cloud-shaped double row of hedges bordering the kitchen garden.
The exterior is discrete and contemporary. Grey brick walls are framed by a shallow pitched zinc roof and a rough concrete plinth, sandblasted to expose the aggregate.
The café plays with materials and time. The original timber-framed glasshouse will juxtapose against minimal contemporary design, and striking brickwork. Social spaces, and thoughtful design are key. The eatery will open up onto a Yorkstone terrace for coffees and lunches in good weather. Support spaces are housed in a black zinc building with cantilevered roof canopies.
Director of Adam Richards Architects, Adam Richards Architects, said: ‘This new learning space "bookends" the estate buildings at the castle, entering into a dialogue with the castle across space and across time. The garden is now re-presented to users of the new building through its vitrine window. Visitors see it through this vast display case, framed by a new five-pointed brick arched opening.’
During this lockdown, we are continuing to look forwards. We’ll continue to bring you the latest architectural news, and we’ll continue to work with some of the country's leading architectural practises from afar. London will soon be busy again. And we can’t wait to see our lockdown plans commence.
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