The Artist's Map
London
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After countless hours of meticulous sketching, ‘The Artists’ Map,’ a centrepiece of our LFA exhibition, is finally complete! Measuring approximately 2m x 2m with 289 individual squares, this monumental project has surpassed our expectations, beautifully capturing the essence of our original vision.
Each square has been thoughtfully placed, showcasing various aspects of London, including buildings, landscapes, memorials, roads, and, of course, the river. This arrangement invites viewers to guess the locations depicted, adding an element of discovery. Embracing the theme ‘Reimagine,’ we encouraged our team and collaborators to experiment with their artistic interpretations, posing questions such as: How would this detail look if altered? Can it be drawn from a different perspective? Or simply, how would it appear in your unique style? This collaborative approach has resulted in a diverse and captivating piece of art, reflecting our distinct perceptions of the world.
The experience of nurturing everyone’s drawing skills and playing a game of identifying individual styles has been immensely rewarding. The vast number of drawings ensures that even after multiple viewings, new details continue to emerge. Personally, this journey has bolstered my confidence and taught me the value of embracing my unique abilities without comparison.
Here are a few reflections from those who participated in the process:
I’ve always found free-hand sketching to be an incredibly powerful tool for analysis. It requires breaking down scenes into shapes, proportions, tones, and textures. Sketching various places and buildings has allowed me to discover new areas of London and see familiar ones in a fresh light.
Returning to sketching was not only fun but also an educational experience, revealing many parts of London I hadn’t seen. This office project united us, fostering teamwork and skill-sharing. It was a fantastic collective effort!
Collaborating on the collective drawing map with the team was a dynamic and enjoyable experience. It blended our diverse perspectives on London into a vibrant visual that both we and our visitors can appreciate.
Our exhibition will remain on display in the coming weeks, and ‘The Artists’ Map’ will have a permanent place on our wall. We warmly invite you to visit and explore our work. Please drop by and see us!
Location
Tunstall Hall, Bernay’s Grove
London SW9 8DF
Time
10am – 4pm
Tickets are available here:
RE-IMAGINING BRIXTON EXHIBITION
West London Home Completes!
London
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Welcome to the final stage of the construction journey for this remarkable new build home in West London. This particular site presented us with an amazing opportunity to embrace the timeless C.F.A Voysey style architecture, merging elegant architectural detailing with contemporary functional layouts, whilst meeting the needs of the modern 21st century family.
Originally appointed by a private developer, we undertook a review of the former care site, and concluded that a new build home alongside the renovation of the historic parts of the former care home, would deliver the most appropriate and sensitive scheme, ensuring that the site was not overdeveloped. The existing street was interesting to analyse, as contextually the buildings have varied materiality, style and shape, which enabled us to approach the new build home with a unique design proposition. Locally, we recognised some ‘voysey-style’ building features (for example, stone window surrounds) which led us to explore the architectural style and building forms, and within a short space of time, we felt that we had a strong design inspiration, and a clear vision for the front façade.
We successfully obtained planning permission in January 2021, at which point, our client decided to split the sites in two and sell each parcel. The new build parcel was bought by our now clients, and they decided to continue working with us to develop interior concepts and to produce the working drawings for construction.
To our delight, our clients loved and respected the vision and wished to execute the project with the care and attention it deserved. We worked together and made minor adjustments to the layouts to suit their exact needs, which included balancing bedroom sizes for their children and utilising an unused roof void to create a ‘den’ with feature hanging net. Additionally, we developed a series of 3D visuals for key rooms, to help our clients develop their ideas for the interior design, which included the feature staircase and balustrade design to wrap the triple height hallway.
Join us for our 2024 London Festival of Architecture event!
London
BoonBrown is proud to be part of the London Festival of Architecture again this year, and we’re excited to invite you to our immersive exhibition in the heart of Brixton.
Location:
Tunstall Hall, Bernay’s Grove
London SW9 8DF
Save the Date:
Mark your calendars for June 14th as we unveil a transformative exploration of ideas, artistry, and community.
Event Highlights:
- RETROSPECT | A Salute to Heroes: Explore the untold tales of local heroes, revealing their remarkable deeds and honouring their impact.
- REDESIGN | Brixton Exploration: Envision the future of Brixton streets through visionary sketches and renders.
- REINTERPRET | The Artists’ Map: Discover a collaborative arrangement of artwork depicting London through different spheres.
- REFLECT | The BoonBrown Experience: Gain insight into our ethos and projects.
Stay Tuned for Booking Information:
Further details and a booking link will be made available soon. Keep an eye on our socials to reserve your spot!
Don’t Miss Out:
Join us for an unforgettable experience celebrating creativity, community, and the power of architecture.
More details to come!
Appreciating Architecture through the London Festival of Architecture
London
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The London Festival of Architecture (LFA) turning 20 is an incredible milestone, marking two decades of transformative impact on the architectural landscape of London. My journey with the LFA began in 2022, a mere nine months into my career at an architecture firm. Discovering that this festival had been fostering architectural discussions and pushing the boundaries of creativity across London for 18 years prior left me in awe.
In 2022, the LFA’s theme, ‘ACT,’ prompted reflection on navigating a post-pandemic world. During this period, I participated in a workshop hosted by EPR Architects at the RSBC Life Without Limits Centre. Titled ‘Build an Animated City – Sensory Clay Workshop,’ it was an eye-opening experience. Imagining the tactile sensation of clay in my hands with closed eyes allowed me to appreciate the importance of inclusive design and sensory perception profoundly.
Fast forward to 2023, when Brixton was selected as one of the festival’s destinations. With one of our offices newly established in Brixton, our involvement was inevitable. The theme, ‘IN COMMON,’ provided fertile ground for our imaginations to run wild. Delving into Brixton’s common land, we discovered its significant reduction over time, prompting us to imagine what it might have looked like had those commons remained intact.
While some of us, along with students from a local school, focused on illustrating Brixton’s common land history and envisaging a new Brixton designed for people in harmony with nature, others explored what makes Brixton unique today.
Inspired by its music, culture, and diverse community, we sought to capture Brixton’s vibrancy by incorporating its bold colours onto our building.
Using Tunstall Hall as a canvas to re-imagine and extend Brixton’s colourful identity to our road, we employed perspex to represent our findings, attaching it to the bars of our studio’s façade.
Additionally, we made use of Brixton’s amazing mural network by organising a self-guided mural tour. We put together a map our guests could take away, highlighting some of the most poignant murals which capture moments in time spanning at least 40 years, commemorate important heroes and reflect rich culture.
The opening night of our exhibition was on the 20th of June 2023, and it was nerve-wracking yet exhilarating. Countless man-hours were poured into preparations, from crafting kiosks to attaching perspex to our studio’s facade until the very morning of the event! As industry professionals, local residents, and community leaders gathered to explore our installations and engage in discussions, it became evident that our exhibition had succeeded in bridging diverse perspectives and igniting conversations about the future of our city.
Now, in 2024, as the LFA embarks on its 20th-anniversary celebrations, the theme of ‘REIMAGINE’ beckoning us, we’re focusing on a recent opportunity that arose from last year’s event. The Tunstall Road residents’ group enlisted our help to redesign their street, which, much like ours, has faced numerous challenges in recent years. Through surveys and community collaboration, we aim to address their concerns and envision a more vibrant and inclusive streetscape.
In addition to the Tunstall Road project, our exhibition for 2024 features a collaborative map of artwork reflecting London through our eyes. It’s been a rewarding experience, showcasing everyone’s creative abilities even though as architects sometimes we go weeks without hand drawing!
Furthermore, we’re collaborating with the charity New Initiatives to commemorate heroes who have made a difference through accurate portrayals by young people.
As we eagerly anticipate the upcoming exhibition, I am filled with gratitude for the opportunities the LFA has provided me to engage with my community, push the boundaries of architectural practice, and contribute to positive change.
Join us once again as we celebrate two decades of creativity, collaboration, and community at the London Festival of Architecture—a testament to the enduring power of architecture to shape lives and inspire generations.
The exhibition will be up for viewing at our London studio in Brixton between the 17th and 28th of June, so make sure to book your free ticket!
Location:
Tunstall Hall, Bernay’s Grove
London SW9 8DF
Time:
10am – 4pm
Tickets are available here:
RE-IMAGING BRIXTON EXHIBITION
Penny for your thoughts – Views on the loos
London
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So what is the public’s response? When the newly formed Crystal Palace Park Trust took on ownership of the park, they asked the public what their first priority should be… and they overwhelmingly replied; “the toilets!”
After years in poor condition, the visitors to Crystal Palace Park now have well-designed, easy to maintain facilities. This is captured in our short vox pop, where we had the opportunity to speak with the local community, to find out what they think of the newly refurbished toilets…
Small project, big impact.
Brixton Reimagined: A Glimpse Behind the Exhibition
London
As we bring 2023 to a close, we reflect on our participation in the London Festival of Architecture (LFA) earlier this year, where a spotlight was on Brixton and had the theme ‘In Common’. With this video, we take a moment to reflect on the achievements that shaped our journey, and as we set our sights on 2024, it feels fitting to share a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the making of our Re-Imagining Brixton Exhibition.
The exhibition blended a series of different crafts —from woodwork and perspex cutting to visualizations and model making, each element contributing to a haven of creative ideas. The artistic endeavours and explorations gave us to a deeper understanding of Brixton’s history, whilst offering an opportunity to explore alternative futures.
Embracing the freedom to think outside the box, we interpreted the theme using physical 3D models, drawings, and installations to convey our ideas. One of the most gratifying aspects of this process was the opportunity to connect with the local community—forging new ties with individuals, charities, businesses, and schools while reinforcing existing relationships.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the invaluable contributors who played a pivotal role in bringing our exhibition to life. Special thanks for the support and collaborative efforts of South Bank UTC, whose model vision greatly enriched our project. We are deeply appreciative of Lawrence Barraclough at You See Media for skillfully capturing the essence of our exhibition through video. Plus the unwavering support and promotion from the LDN Collective.
This year was our first year participating in the festival. Our team are already excited about what 2024 will bring, with a new opportunity for ideas and fresh thinking for our second LFA exhibition! See you there!
All under one roof: a home for generations
London
Great news – we have secured planning permission for one of our biggest home transformations yet…!
Our project at Thorpe Avenue in Peterborough extends the existing 240sqm dwelling to 610sqm, providing three reception rooms, an open kitchen/living/diner, swimming pool, nine bedrooms and ten bathrooms.
The house is soon to become home to a large multi-generational family – with construction due to the start later this year.
The Brief
The brief for this project was fascinating. One of the main objectives was to deliver a significantly increased floor area to cater for the large family, but also to include bedrooms of consistent sizes, to ensure family members have access to comparable spaces and facilities. To provide this increase, the design needed to be carefully balanced against impact upon the existing home, which itself had its own unique character.
To deliver a successful architectural proposition, we established four main design principles:
- The design must not overbear and detract from the character of the existing dwellinghouse and adjacent properties. The extension must be sympathetic to the Local Authority’s Special Character Area, with special emphasis placed on retaining the area’s landscape and architectural style.
- The proposal should be reflective of its constructed era, as per the surrounding buildings which are the style of their period.
- The large floor area requirement must not be to the detriment of space and light quality within the dwelling.
- The design must relate to the street settlement pattern, turning the corner between Thorpe Avenue and Thorpe Road.
The Design
Massing was an important factor in achieving these principles. The design includes several small infill extensions that maintain the style of the existing house, however its main wing extension to the south is broken into two architectural elements, in a more contrasting architectural style. The natural contour of the site presented an opportunity to step the extension down into two lower levels, which enabled the ridge and eave lines of the new extension to sit subservient to the existing house.
A series of massing studies were carried out considering the positioning of existing TPO trees, local settlement pattern and street composition, testing options for spatial arrangements. We were mindful of not adding large elements to the existing house, to avoid creating deep plan rooms that would suffer from a lack of natural daylight or view. The result takes the form of a two-storey L-shaped extension.
Examination of the local architectural context demonstrates how each house reflects the era that it was built, providing an opportunity to develop a contemporary design approach, rather than pastiche proposal. Local materials such as white render and brown brick contrast against metal detailing used as a tertiary material for louvres and gable framing. Vertical fins are incorporated across the front entrance wing with multiple practical functions; to visually break the link’s horizontal form, to provide screening and privacy for first floor bedrooms, to offer shade from morning sun and create an opportunity for plants to climb up the building around the main entrance.
Although the house has ample garden, the extension is formed around a new internal courtyard, which provides a different outside environment. This space is accessed from all sides of the home, at their respective levels, providing space for outside cooking, seating and socialising. This space is critical as it provides natural daylight and aspect from many of the rooms, also creating a central social space within the home.
BoonBrown welcomes RIBA President Simon Allford to Brixton!
London
Our London Studio team (with a few colleagues from our southwest studio too!) had the pleasure of welcoming inspirational architect and RIBA president, Simon Allford to Brixton last week.
Simon is a co-founder and director of Allford Hall Monaghan Morris (AHMM), current RIBA President and Chair of the Board of Trustees of The Architectural Foundation.
We kicked off the visit with a tour of the studio, which currently houses our London Festival of Architecture exhibition and a selection of project boards which showcase our work. From competition entries to technical delivery, we were able to discuss some of the highlights and challenges across the breadth of our projects, as well as broader conversations including ambitions for the practice. This was followed by an enthusiastic Q and A with the studio team.
Discussions covered topics such as architectural education, communication and reflection within the design process, and flexibility within built design. Our key takeaways include:
“Make the profession respect itself”
With a constant race to the bottom, we should be promoting good fees for good work and not underrating our worth.
“Create a feedback loop”
Communication is key – we often aren’t learning what we could from those around us, so find ways to reflect on past designs and teach others.
“Understand the real brief”
Architecture is not just for foreseeable uses and today’s client. Design structures which can flex and change over time, building in tolerance and adaptability so use can change.
“Make the profession more accessible and affordable, so it reflects society today”
Educate and share within the local community, promoting architecture and design, supporting alternative methods to qualification for a more diverse pool of emerging architects.
Re-imagining Brixton | Collaborations
London
We are thrilled to share this fantastic short film produced by You See Media…giving a glimpse of our Re-Imagining Brixton Exhibition, which was part of this year’s London Festival of Architecture, with its focus on Brixton and based on the notional theme ‘in common’.
Through our own art and explorations, we have discovered more about Brixton ourselves, while opening our studio to the local community has been a wonderful, uplifting experience too.
We have enjoyed the opportunity to forge new connections with local people, charities, businesses and schools, as well as reinforcing existing relationships. We are always looking for more ways to engage and support the local community and look forward to continuing to develop these old and new associations.
A great example of this, was our project ‘Re-Generational’, which was an experimental collaboration between BoonBrown and South Bank University Technical College (UTC). Working with the school, we designed and printed a 3D model of central Brixton and chose five sites that could be re-imagined, with architectural interventions designed by the students. Although quite a challenge, the students were very inventive; using sketching and digital modelling to produce building and furniture designs, which were all printed in 3D. Through this, we discovered interesting emerging themes, focused on renewable technologies and a desire for more public ‘dwell’ space.
We’d love to thank all our partners who supported us in the creation of the exhibition, including South Bank UTC, Lawrence Barraclough at You See Media, support and promotion from the LDN Collective, and of course our wonderful guests, who attended our launch event and subsequent exhibition.
Due to the positive response we’ve had and continuing popularity, the exhibition has been extended for a few more days, so please do come down and check it out!
Reflections from Chelsea
London
Moving towards a more sustainable way of planting, reflections from Chelsea.
One of the key themes from the Chelsea Flower show this year was the use of different substrates as a means for planting the show gardens. With peat-free planting mediums becoming more and more prevalent and sought-after in the landscape industry, it was interesting to see the different options on show and how these performed in the eyes of the Chelsea judges. Showing how these substrates can perform at the very highest level expands the options available for use in the landscape profession and for those at home and helps reduce the impact the planting industry has on the environment. Some key benefits to using this kind of substrate are:
- Improved drainage: Rubble and free-draining substrate allow excess water to quickly drain away from plant roots. This helps prevent waterlogging and reduces the risk of root rot or other water-related issues. Good drainage promotes healthier root growth and reduces the likelihood of plant diseases.
- Enhanced aeration: The presence of rubble and free-draining substrate allows for better airflow to plant roots. Oxygen is vital for root respiration and overall plant health. Improved aeration facilitates nutrient uptake and supports the growth and development of plants.
- Reduced soil compaction: In urban areas or places with compacted soil, rubble and free-draining substrate can help alleviate soil compaction. Compacted soil limits root growth and reduces the movement of air and water within the soil. Planting in rubble creates air pockets and open spaces, promoting root penetration and healthier root systems.
- Utilization of urban spaces: Planting in rubble and free-draining substrate enables the use of spaces that would otherwise be unsuitable for traditional planting methods. Urban areas often lack adequate soil for planting, but rubble and free-draining substrates can create viable growing environments in spaces such as vacant lots, rooftops, or urban gardens.
- Erosion control: Rubble and free-draining substrate can be used to stabilize slopes or areas prone to erosion. The materials can help retain soil and prevent the loss of topsoil during heavy rains or wind. By establishing vegetation in these areas, plants with deep root systems can anchor the soil, minimizing erosion risks.
- Aesthetically pleasing landscapes: When appropriately designed and maintained, rubble-based planting systems can create visually appealing landscapes. By integrating plants into urban environments, these methods can soften the appearance of concrete and other artificial elements, improving the overall aesthetics and creating a more pleasant environment for residents and visitors.
- Biodiversity promotion: Planting in rubble and free-draining substrate can contribute to urban biodiversity. These unconventional planting methods can support the growth of a wide range of plant species, including those that are well-adapted to arid or challenging conditions. By increasing plant diversity, it can attract pollinators, birds, and other wildlife, enhancing the overall ecological value of the area.
- Weed-control: The use of sterile mulches have in recent years been promoted by the likes of Nigel Dunnett. Such sterile mulches as gravel and weed-free green compost provide a non-chemical approach to establishing planting with minimum competition from weeds. It helps to establish the plants within a clean environment, plants are able to get their roots down into the soil beneath, but weed seeds or vegetative fragments in the underlying soil will be prevented from pushing up through the mulch.
- Seasonal benefits: Planting directly into sand protects roots and plants in the winter, whilst also helping to reduce moisture leaving the soil in the intense heat of the summer, acting as a mulch.
It’s worth noting that the success of planting in rubble and free-draining substrate depends on factors such as plant selection, appropriate watering, nutrient management, and ongoing maintenance. Additionally, site-specific conditions and local regulations should be considered when implementing such planting methods.