Aug
The First Light Pavilion is a £21.5m development supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund. It follows Jodrell Bank Observatory’s recent recognition as a site of Outstanding Universal Value when it was awarded UNESCO World Heritage Site status in 2019. The First Light Pavilion was created to tell the inspirational stories of Jodrell Bank’s world-leading contribution to science, heritage and culture.
The architecturally remarkable building was designed by Hassell Studios and engineered by Atelier One with the executive architects of JM Architect’s overlooking the entire project and Kier Construction building the large concrete dome.
I was commissioned to photograph / capture its stunning architecture and clever design within its location of the Jodrell Bank Observatory centre. I will be sharing some of the photography over the next week.
The idea was to build a discreet form that would blend into the landscape. The final unique structure is a 76m diameter concrete dome which mirrors the shape and scale of the dish of the Lovell Telescope. The building is partially buried beneath earth and grass, leaving a stunning curved entrance façade with its axis orientated due south to reflect the arc of the sun. Two separate screen walls guide visitors to the entrance in which a single glass slot is cut, lighting a meridian line cast on to the floor linking the structure to the skies above.
The design was to leave the exposed concrete visible inside the building, as well as on the front façade whilst also maintaining a high level of insulation. Armourcoat supplied an insulated render that includes graphite enabling it to reflect 20% more radiant heat than standard EPS. This optimises the thermal performance of the building and has the added dimension of a decorative polished finish to the façade.
The entrance of the First Light Pavilion is approached along a simple path between two parallel curved concrete walls suggestive of a new moon. Inside, visitors can immerse themselves in a new permanent exhibition that was created by Casson Mann and tells the inspirational story of Jodrell Bank’s pioneering scientists and engineers.
There is a 150-seat capacity auditorium ‘pod’ featuring a screen that follows the shape of the drum shell and curves over the seats. A multimedia room houses special exhibitions and caters for night-sky projections, educational lectures and live links to other science facilities.
From this, visitors can exit to a café and circular courtyard, cut into the mound so that its orientation aligns to First Light’s tracking of Sputnik at 102 degrees from Azimuth.
The First Light Pavilion opened its doors to the public in June 2022
Aug
It is one thing to renovate, transform and repurpose a space, but to give a building a new soul is something else. Freehausdesign architects in collaboration with the interior designer Tola Ojuolape and brand agency Mam'gobozi Design Factory have done just that with The Africa Centre’s new home in Southwark.
I was commissioned to photograph and capture how the design team has breathed new life into the building, filling it with the colours, tastes, and vibe of Africa.
The Africa Centre started life in the 1960’s as a cultural hub for the UK’s African Diaspora, and for a long time was based in Covent Garden. It was a place to inspire, challenge, enlighten and encourage, hosting distinguished cultural, literary and political figures of African heritage.
The new headquarters in Great Suffolk Street has been completely rejuvenated into a multi-purpose site that offers flexible spaces for a variety of events and activities such as art exhibitions, pop-ups, and networking.
Inside, the 2216 sq. ft is divided across three floors with a new feature staircase connecting the first and second floors.
In contrast to the black painted exterior there is a palette of sandy clay plaster walls, rustic polished concrete floor, African inspired feature pendant lighting, authentic carved wooden furniture, vibrant fabrics and artwork. The ground floor opens out to a reception plus collaborative meeting space, and houses “Tatale”, a contemporary pan-African restaurant. The building has been extended at the back, with a row of glass doors that fold open completely, connecting the restaurant to an animated alleyway of railway arches.
The second floor is an events area, complete with bar clad in African geometric tiles and lounge with a mixture of contemporary African seating options. Both areas open out onto their own balconies, with the front terrace being supported by a sturdy black steel canopy that the architects added on the exterior as a welcoming feature.
On the third floor is the gallery space for artists to support the centre’s values and inspire others.
The Africa Centre has already featured in a number of prominent online forums and publications, including the Architects Journal, the Guardian, the Evening Standard, Wallpaper Magazine, Dezeen Magazine, The RIBA Journal and Forbes Africa.
The construction and fitout was completed by Metric Construction Cost Management Limited, Cambridge CM, Inc., OR Consulting Engineers Limited, Price & Myers and QOB.
#community #diaspora #culture #regeneration #design #community #africa #theafricacentre #interiordesign #brand #branding #collaboration
Aug
Nando’s has evolved into a 458-restaurant cultural phenomenon with a progressive peri-peri approach to their brand. I have been supplying them photography for a number of years, working with some incredible creatives.
Nando’s has always recognised that they had to be about much more than just the chicken that they served. From collaborations and associations with music artists (including a recording studio in their Soho restaurant), to partnering with Spier Arts Trust with a long-term commitment to contemporary Southern African art, peri-peri sauce now flavours many forms of popular culture.
Nando’s takes a progressive approach to promoting their #everyoneiswelcome stance through various different platforms. Their UK social media followers on Twitter and Instagram far exceeds their competitors. Nando’s millennial engagement and content has adopted music takeovers, reworks of memes or TikTok recipes using their sauces, and campaigns surrounding everything from the pandemic to student results, mental wellbeing and entrepreneurship.
Nando’s culture of diversity takes a “neighbourhood” approach to expansion driven by local demographics. If the clientele in Nando’s restaurants is modern, multiracial Britain made manifest, it could be because it engages its audience in a genuine, holistic way.
I recently photographed the new Nottingham, Netherfield Nando’s at Victoria Park Way. The restaurant was designed by Harrison with 118 internal, and 20 external covers. The exterior entrance is clad in timber and has both the Nando’s sign and logo, which light up in the evening. There is also a feature seated canopy area with box planters.
The interior is a kaleidoscope picture of the Nando’s palette, materials, lighting, and furniture. The flooring is a combination of Ted Todd wooden floor panels and tiles. The walls range from micro concrete trowelled finished render, to ribbed concrete tiles, exposed brick finish and vertical mosaic tiles with a deep glaze. There is a large selection of original South African art along with interspersed planters.
The seating is a mixture of large “live” edge banqueting tables, individual marble and chestnut top tables plus booths that divide the space. There is a suspended angled lath ceiling feature which is illuminated by linear LED strips, along with track lighting and Hoola Hoop pendant lights above the booths.
The evolution of the Nando’s progressive peri-peri brand is inspired by their adventurous spirit and values of Pride, Passion, Courage, Integrity and Family.
