A new sports pavilion for University College School at Ranulf Road.
UCS playing fields are just north of Hampstead Cemetery in London. The site was formerly farmland with a public footpath, running along an old field boundary, passing through the middle. In 2015 MBA were asked to design a new sports pavilion on the site. We noticed that the ground slopes more than two storeys from north east to south west, and suggested putting the pavilion in the centre of the site straddling the footpath, its first floor level with the north east entrance.
The pavilion is in two parts, linked by a pathway and footbridge aligned precisely to give views of the distant Wembley arch. South of this line is sport, to the north is arrival, parking and buffer planting. The larger, western pavilion faces the main pitches with a long viewing terrace overlooking them shielded by a low overhanging roof. A smaller pavilion serves the eastern pitches and all weather playing surfaces.
The link is where the geometries converge, a glass fronted, elevated brick cube, with water storage at the top, straddling the footpath. The eastern pavilion plan form is curved to maximise views to and from the footpath. The...
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A new sports pavilion for University College School at Ranulf Road.
UCS playing fields are just north of Hampstead Cemetery in London. The site was formerly farmland with a public footpath, running along an old field boundary, passing through the middle. In 2015 MBA were asked to design a new sports pavilion on the site. We noticed that the ground slopes more than two storeys from north east to south west, and suggested putting the pavilion in the centre of the site straddling the footpath, its first floor level with the north east entrance.
The pavilion is in two parts, linked by a pathway and footbridge aligned precisely to give views of the distant Wembley arch. South of this line is sport, to the north is arrival, parking and buffer planting. The larger, western pavilion faces the main pitches with a long viewing terrace overlooking them shielded by a low overhanging roof. A smaller pavilion serves the eastern pitches and all weather playing surfaces.
The link is where the geometries converge, a glass fronted, elevated brick cube, with water storage at the top, straddling the footpath. The eastern pavilion plan form is curved to maximise views to and from the footpath. The glass facade is veiled by a metal screen which protects the interior from sunlight and gives a sense of being overlooked to those using the public footpath. Before construction this was a hot spot for antisocial behaviour. The route is now safer and gives a greater sense of security to those who use it. The building has been used as an example in police Designing Out Crime courses. Two graffiti walls, so far unadorned, flank the small covered gateway through the building.
Vehicle access is from Farm Avenue with on-site parking for cars and coaches to ease pressure on surrounding streets. Views from the adjoining roads across the pitches were maintained by pulling the buildings away from the entrance vistas. New railings are simple vertical bars in dark grey, designed to be barely visible. In due course we hope all the footpath railings will be replaced with something equally secure but visually more transparent.
A new grounds maintenance building sits at the west of the site. Sustainable urban drainage systems include a swale at the north western corner of the site. The buildings incorporate green roofs and photovoltaic cells on the roof.
The pitches were also upgraded as part of the work and continue to be beautifully maintained. Construction commenced in summer 2017 and the building was opened on 28 September 2019. The first group of photos on this page are by Marcus Peel, shot in September 2022.
Drone footage showing the three dimensional qualities of the building can be seen here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ut_sLmmYSfo
Related project: King’s College School sports pavilion.
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