The Southbank Centre in London is one of the largest and most popular artistic complexes in Europe, and this September it will be getting an exhaustive £24 million refurbishment courtesy of the Feilden Clegg Bradley (FCB) architectural studios. Plans for the project were approved by Lambeth Council last week, and the designs revealed by FCB seem to suggest a calmer and more spacious design than would perhaps have been expected. FCB were awarded the task of completely refurbishing the centre's imposing Festival Wing last autumn. The project follows the recent refurbishment of the Royal Festival Hall, also undertaken by the Southbank Centre. The Southbank Centre has received almost £100,000 funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund and a £16.7 million grant from Arts Council England to complete the project.
This September, the Southbank Centre will be getting a £24 million refurbishment courtesy of the Feilden Clegg Bradley architectural studios
The initial proposal from FCB for the Festival Wing was to underline the aspirations of the Southbank Centre as an important arts venue, whilst conserving the best aspects of the existing buildings, and establishing a new identity and presence for the complex as a vibrant arts and social destination in the heart of London. The concept was anchored in the premise that the existing buildings, though not listed, are important and should be retained and carefully negotiated. They also wanted to contrast this sensitive conservation approach with a much bolder approach to the new interventions. The brief issued by the centre also included the need to address urgent problems such as poor access to the stages and galleries, substandard back-stage areas,worn out services, and a large amount of unused and underused space.
Planned refurbishments are set to include repairs of the Queen Elizabeth Hall and Purcell Room auditoria, alongside the Queen Elizabeth Hall Foyer
Planned refurbishments are set to include repairs of the Queen Elizabeth Hall and Purcell Room auditoria, alongside the Queen Elizabeth Hall Foyer, exterior terraces and building services such as heating and stage lighting. The design also includes a brand new artist entrance area, and a new Hayward Gallery Pyramid Roof. The refurbishment will, however, retain the undercroft, which sits close to the buildings, and has become something of a haven for local skateboarders. The notion to keep the undercroft as a heavily graffitied skatepark was reinforced by the campaign group Long Live Southbank, who made a compelling case for keeping the area as is. The agreement was a result of earlier plans for a more ambitious £120 million redevelopment of the centre, which would have seen the skateboarders uprooted. These plans were the subject of significant legal debate, however, and as such, the plans were downsized for the £24 million project following the dispute settlement.
The refurbishment will retain the undercroft, which has become something of a haven for local skateboarders
Alan Davey, chief executive of Arts Council England, said: “We are pleased to be able to safeguard the future of this vital part of London’s artistic and tourist infrastructure through this capital grant. It will enable the Southbank to carry out essential work to enhance its existing space, giving them the right buildings to deliver their fantastic artistic and cultural programme.” Simon Hickman, inspector of historic buildings and areas at English Heritage, said: “These uncompromising brutalist buildings reflect radical changes in British society and culture during the era of their design and creation. Their conservation could not be further delayed and we are delighted that Southbank Centre and Arts Council England are prepared to invest in them.” Alan Bishop, chief executive of the Southbank Centre, added: “This is the important next step in the transformation of the Southbank Centre, which began with the refurbishment of the Royal Festival Hall.”
