Consolidated, more efficient complex of new-build and refurbished education buildings, including a studio theatre and art and design workshops.
Richmond and Hillcroft Adult Community College Richmond, London £5.4 million 3,000m2
"The architect fully understood the College’s ambition and vision for the project and exceeded our expectations in its delivery."
Gabrielle Flint, Principal, RHACC
“The architect worked very creatively to ensure we achieved the required scope and quality on our limited budget.”
Gaberielle Flint, principal, RHACC
“What has been maintained throughout this project is the strength of an idea. The robust ensemble stands credibly in Richmond and makes a positive contribution in the conservation area.”
Roz Barr, Architecture Today
RACC is centre of excellence for adult learning, training and personal development
College sites consolidated, with funds raised from sale of one used to redevelop the other
New-build and refurbished Edwardian elements include learning spaces, a theatre, art and ceramics department, café, reception area and central cloister
Location in central Richmond conservation area, home to a variety of listed buildings
Long-term process of community engagement, with focus on greater access and inclusivity
Unused and landlocked spaces identified and freed up to make space use more efficient and improve setting of existing buildings
Curriculum hubs reorganised, bringing together departments with compatible uses to share facilities
The Queen Charlotte Hall
Has been recreated and much improved
Exposed services
The Old Gym building
Revealed through the decluttering of unnecessary add-dons. However, the project team were careful to ensure the narrative if the building history was not covered or hidden, instead revealing the scars and marks of time
Revealing
The project team sought, wherever possible to reveal the latent qualities of the build process, celebrating simple moves and interventions
Construction
The interaction between retained elements and new extensions and infills is evident in this early construction photograph
Consultation feedback
Public and client consultation
The project team engaged in an extensive of prolonged public and stakeholder engagement process from Stage 1 onwards
Roof options testing
A Street View
looking towards the ceramics and pottery facilities.
Aerial Overview of the Site
comprising of the existing Edwardian buildings and the cluster of new cubic forms.
Base and Crown
A timber model exploring the composition of a solid brick base with contrasting metallic roof lanterns.
Sketch study
Assessing the compositional opportunity of new extensions fused to retained aging volumes
A study view from Twickenham Road
A cluster of subtly rotated solid volumes, topped by lanterns. The sequence of buildings directed to the foundation of found footings and foundations
The found condition
A cluttered site in which no clear strategy for the position, orientation and form of building components is evident