Project Brief

• The Mission Hall is an existing early Victorian red brick building with a steep pitched plain tiled roof, located to the north west side of Parsons Green, London. The Clients commissioned the installation of a first floor slab into the existing building 10 years ago through a different professional team. The slab was installed but was never integrated into the building, becoming instead a glorified storeroom, allowing basic use only of the principal space.
• Nick Shipp Architects were commissioned to provide full Architectural Service to fit out the existing first floor and additionally refurbish the remainder of the building to facilitate the integration and functionality of the first floor.
• The first floor will provide an entertainment's space with kitchen facilities for a diverse variety of users, ranging from toddler groups, lectures and social gatherings.
• During the course of the works the ground floor will function as normal, being hired out by a variety of user groups.
• A planning application was not required as the works were to the interior of the building only.

Project Design Description

The brief and design for the fit out of the first floor of this hall was dictated by structural work previously undertaken. The relatively small budget and the flexible requirements of the space by the end users.

A diversity of potential user requirements because the key design generator for the floor space, to ensure that it remained fluid and flexible for conferences, gatherings, parties, exhibitions and entertainment.

The historic building has a the beauty and presence of good Victorian ecclesiastic design, which NSA aimed to enhance in a sensitive manner by using the volume and design of the space. This included the timber trussed roof to provide an all important 'wow' factor.

The principle design challenges posed to NSA were manifested in the floor installed 10 years previously as an addition into the existing building fabric, without proper consideration for the inherent architectural features of the building. This is emphasised best where the first floor cuts across each of the side elevations full height windows see fig. 03. Without consideration for the detail.

The design attempts to rationalise this 'difficult' floor/ window junction, using the floor voids at these junctions as locations for up- lighters highlighting the detail of the fenestration. The balustrade system is a necessary safety measure also used as a device to introduce design continuity into the space.

The final challenge was to integrate all the requirements of the brief for the first floor into the building as a functional whole. The main staircase which would service all floors, basement, ground and first was squeezed into the geometry forced onto the design by the previously cast in-situ slab and works as a 'legal' staircase- just!

Mechanical and Electrical services were carefully and efficiently integrated into the existing installations with a few modifications. Underfloor heating provides the most effective method for heating the 'living zone' (where people are) of a very high volume space.

Feedback

The result has been applauded a success by both the owners and users after a short teething period. Phase 2 works will address the completion of the remainder of the building including the entrance hall, first floor galleries and basement areas, once revenue from the premises has been confidently established.

Project type/ Sector

• Public /Entertainment - Refurbishment

Client

• Sulivan Charity

Key Dates

• Instruction to provide professional services - March 2002
• Planning Application submission - N/A
• Planning Consent Granted - N/A
• Contract Commencement - October 2002
• Practical Completion - March 2003

Contract Value and Duration

• Band < £250,000
• Six Months

Project Team

• Nick Shipp Architects - Architect (NSA)
• Woods Warren - Consultant Structural Engineers
• Sullivan and Building Renovation - Main Contractors
• DA Hammond & Co - Quantity Surveyors