Challenge

Positioned at the entry to the park, the building needed to be welcoming and complement the landscape setting.

The intention was to develop an amenities block, that could be adjusted for all of Camden Councils public parks. The brief incorporated toilets and change rooms, including a specialist high needs disability changing places facility.

The project needed to be robust, inclusive, and incorporate best practice safety and crime prevention strategies (CPTED).

Response

We wanted to ensure the building was light filled, open to the park, and inviting to the public. We also had to fit fully accessible change rooms with ceiling hoists and adult change tables are not small.

The toilets, circulation, and central basin area are all collected under a large common roof, but split to allow sight lines diagonally through the building. We then wove the landscaping through to soften the edges to the park. All spaces are generous in response to the users needs, which were primarily disabled people with carers, or families with small children.

We selected materials that were robust, vandal resistant, and hardworking, but with a character that was specific to the heritage buildings of Camden and the park setting.