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Queens Park Church to welcome courtyard extension

August 21 2015

Queens Park Church to welcome courtyard extension
CRGP have submitted plans to extend the A-listed Queens Park Baptist church by creating a new link building connecting the existing hall and sanctuary by raising a new roof structure over an internal courtyard.

As part of this work a new entrance pavilion will be built on Balvicar Drive which will offer direct access to this ‘slot’ space, taking the form of a free standing wall separated from the historic fabric by glazed screens.

This will improve access by equalising differences in level whilst creating a more welcoming environment for parishioners and visitors.

In their design statement CRGP noted: “We designed the space to focus on gaining as much natural light as possible, while still delivering a space which is ethereal. Light moves through this space and illuminates different areas depending on what time it is during the day. We wanted this space to feel special and uplifting.”

CRGP aim to flood the interior with light with a glazed extension
CRGP aim to flood the interior with light with a glazed extension
The new link will improve access to basement areas
The new link will improve access to basement areas

4 Comments

james
#1 Posted by james on 21 Aug 2015 at 11:28 AM
While I wholly applaud the sensitivity and the aims of the design, I would like to add some general comment without being accused straight off the bat of donning the hat of 'dismal jimmyism' - as in, aye, but whur's yer drains, son/hen? . Having looked through the Design statement, some general questions arise immediately about presentation though.

Why are the images in the D&A so ridiculously contemptuous of the laws of physics?

Do the architects believe that the planners and listed building people are so stupid as to be unable to differentiate between an aspirational conceptual idea and an eventual built reality? (Oh,I get it! It's a skilful negotiating ploy? Right! Ssssshhhhh! My lips are sealed.)

For example, glass has a mass. There is no escaping that fact. In fact it's bloody heavy. It also needs held in place and the water in this part of the world (not being spain) batters down at some rate and it needs to go somewhere (let's even skip the cleaning argument carry on). Big black mastic joints look exactly like that - big black mastic joints. Glass (among many other things) also seriously deflects hence the use of these things called 'sticks'. etc.etc.etc. and so on and so forth, and even that's not the half of it

Or, I am clearly mistaken. They are actually proposing to build this out of stretched cling film with some invisibly-cloaked skyhooks.

I suppose my question boils down to this: who is kidding who?
wonky
#2 Posted by wonky on 21 Aug 2015 at 12:25 PM
James it may be a question of transubstantiation: of plain rainwater transformed into holy water by means of contact with the sacred? The sacred is a conveyance for the transmission of the miraculous, hence holy water, known to be lighter than rainwater, is also not subject to the general standards of conventional physics...I'm sure this must have been a factor in the design.
A Local Pleb
#3 Posted by A Local Pleb on 25 Aug 2015 at 14:41 PM
I like the idea but as #1 highlights there are some mundane but practical matters that will affect the final outcome.
Oh and Bird poop is going to pepper that nice crisp 'n' clear glass, a prime target for feathered derrieres that perch on the eaves above!
David
#4 Posted by David on 26 Aug 2015 at 11:56 AM
#3 that's the beauty of glass, it can be cleaned

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