Another large-scale development is threatening historic Shoreditch, this time in the Redchurch Street conservation area. MFA attend the public enquiry this week to support Jago Action Group. Fingers crossed for a decision in favour of conservation area policy in one of East London's most creative and characterful historic neighbourhoods.
Troyes Industrial Heritage
Harry is back from Paris and Troyes, France, where he took part in an international architecture workshop on industrial heritage with students from France, Spain, Germany, Italy and the Czech Republic. Teams were formed with one representative from each school. In keeping with MFA remit of work, the brief was to reuse an old textile factory site to house a museum, offices and other amenities like Cafes and a Library.
Harry’s team designed a distinctive volume in ‘ferry noir’ which slotted in and wrapped around the historical buildings, leaving one facade exposed inside as part of a Library gallery.
They lightly touched the interiors with wooden mezzanines and pods to house the new infrastructure and chose flexible textile screens as partitions for the museum exhibitions which would wrap around the original iron columns.
Great job, Harry!
SPAB Repair Course
MFA's commitment to CPD and the SPAB continues as Nicole participates in the Old Buildings Repair Course this week, to consolidate knowledge of conservation techniques and best practices. A few highlights from her site visits below:
Knole House
Frindsbury Tithe Barn
G&T Quintet
What a handsome shot of our Friday G&Ts, courtesy of our friends at Relay Design.
Bespoke Joinery Installation in Islington
MFA is hands-on for this careful installation of precious bespoke joinery in Islington.
A Minimalist Meeting Space
MFA puts the finishing touches on our newest minimalist meeting space, now complete with a fully recessed display with pivoting wall bracket.
Friends of Fineline
MFA loves Fineline Aluminium's ultra-thin profile sliding/folding glass doors. Many thanks to Fineline for our CPD workshop this morning!
Westbourne Studios
Nicole and Harry visited Westbourne Studios today, "one of Britain's most imaginative new office complexes" according to The Guardian's Jonathan Glancey. Don't be mistaken by the sculpted concrete roof-- it is the underside of the Westway!
The internal courtyard was being used as a photo studio, swanky lounge, casual cafe and conference room during our visit--so refreshing to see a hip, successful multi-use space for creative businesses in such a unique Notting Hill location. Well worth the visit.
More about the developers Simon and Nick Kirkham in Architects Journal here: The Regenerators (2002).
Birthday Bubbles for Neil
Save The Date Cafe
Harry, MFA's 'eco-warrior', has been volunteering his time at Save the Date Cafe in Dalston, East London. You may have read about the cafe in TimeOut recently, but if you missed it, more info on the Facebook page and below:
Part of the Real Junk Food Project, Save The Date Cafe volunteers create delicious, gourmet meals from food intercepted before going to landfill. Food waste is a serious problem: 33% of the world's food being wasted, and even moreso in Britain where a mammoth 61% of food is wasted! The cafe runs on a Pay As You Feel (#PAYF) basis, so that the cafe is accessible to everyone.
It has been an exciting couple of months getting the cafe ready, designed and built by volunteers using materials destined for waste or scraps. Come and have a look and enjoy a great meal!
We are open for lunch from Wednesday to Friday 12pm-5pm, Friday evenings 6-11pm, Saturday brunch and lunch 10am-3pm.
Keep an eye out for various special events, like Disco Soup nights where everyone participates in chopping, cooking and (of course) eating a big feast all from diverted food that was going waste. Most importantly there will be some great DJs playing some grooves through the whole thing and dancing is a Must! The address is 2 Abbot Street, Dalston, London, E8 3DP - Note: We are inside the yellow beehive gates!
MFA Visits the Midlands Good Shed
Shortlisted for Holy Trinity Barnes
Very pleased to announce that MFA have been shortlisted for proposed works at Holy Trinity Barnes, designed by RIBA founding member Thomas Allom.
Historic Castelnau
Spot the Architect
The Church Walled Garden
Facadism on Hackney Road
Only the face of the former Queen Elizabeth Hospital has been retained for the upcoming residential redevelopment, Mettle & Poise. For more on Facadism, have a look at the brilliant essay by Gillian Darley this week for Architects Journal.
cred : N.Sutton
Behind the Scenes with Architectural Photographer Max Creasy
At Rivington Street. Stay tuned for the full series from our latest Shoreditch residence.
The New King's Cross
L'Empire des Lumières, René Magritte, 1950
L'Empire des Lumières at Gerrard Road Today
Brain Food
Malcolm Fryer in Soho House Magazine
Keep an eye out for the latest issue of Soho House Magazine, featuring MFA Director Malcolm Fryer.