SOMERSET HOUSE COMPETITION WIN
JANUARY 2020
We are delighted to announce that Niall McLaughlin Architects has been appointed to design a new, multi-purpose auditorium and public space. This follows an international competition (organised by Colander Associates) which had a total of 69 entries from an impressive calibre of architectural teams. Eight teams were shortlisted which included Adjaye Associates, Barozzi/Veiga with DRDH, David Chipperfield Architects, Flores Prats with AOC Architects, Haworth Tompkins with Citizen’s Design Bureau, Snohetta with Orms, Studio Seilern, and Niall McLaughlin Architects. The jury, comprising Jonathan Reekie (Director, Somerset House Trust), Julia Barfield (Architect), Martine d’Anglejan Chatillon (Trustee and arts producer), Brian Eno (Trustee and artist/musician), Sarah Gaventa (Director of Illuminated River), Paul Goswell (Trustee and MD of Delancey) and Paul Purgas (Artist and Somerset House Studios resident), was unanimous that Niall McLaughlin Architects’ presentation gave a strong sense of design direction and clarity of thought, with an unmatched commitment to sustainability and a distinctly creative and collaborative approach. The jury felt confident that in our hands, the team would deliver Somerset House’s vision of creating a world-class performance space to make and showcase new, cutting-edge multi-disciplinary work to new, younger and more diverse audiences.
CAMDEN GOODS YARD
DECEMBER 2017
Camden Council granted planning permission to Camden Goods Yard at the end of November, voting unanimously in favour of the scheme. The extensive development reinvents an existing Morrisons supermarket and car park on Chalk Farm Road and in close proximity to the Roundhouse and Camden Locks. The project will deliver 573 new homes of mixed tenure, including nearly 40% affordable homes.
Niall McLaughlin Architects designed the mixed-use building marking the main point of access to the Camden Goods Yard site off Chalk Farm Road. It incorporates an existing petrol filling station into a mixed-use building that accommodates workspace alongside retail, a cafe, restaurant and winter garden.
The shop units are placed between heavy brick piers with riveted steel beams above, referencing the language of the ‘Great Wall of Camden’ that once stood in its place and the historic industrial structures nearby. At the corner, the building is a celebration of public activity, enlivened by the inhabitants of its cafes and restaurants, and a winter garden at the top level. The adjacent office accommodation has a vitreous and delicate outer facade with a layered and dynamic inner skin offering depth, texture and changing transparency.
The project is a collaboration with Allies and Morrison, who are the overall masterplan architect and, together with Piercy & Company, designers of the individual buildings.