Skip to content
sports — Shopping — Relationships — Lifestyle — Food-and-drink — Home-and-garden — travel — Business — Fashion-and-beauty

Story of Tale Spinner from Sidcup

Architectural firm DRDH has unveiled a multi-purpose structure in Sidcup, London, blending library, cinema, and residential spaces. Madeleine Jacob scrutinizes the friction between profitability and communal aspirations in this project.

,   and  Administrator
3 min read
Architectural firm DRDH completes a mixed-use building in London suburb Sidcup, featuring a...
Architectural firm DRDH completes a mixed-use building in London suburb Sidcup, featuring a library, cinema, and residential units. An analysis of the balance between financial success and civic pride, by Madeleine Jacob.

Story of Tale Spinner from Sidcup

Title: Sidcup Storyteller: A Vibrant Mixed-Use Haven Amid Striking Architecture

By: Carly Anderson, Photos: David Grandorge

In the heart of the London suburb of Sidcup, a transformative project unfolds, known as the Sidcup Storyteller. With an investment of £1.78 million, the project aims to breathe new life into the town center, attracting businesses and the community at large[1]. At its core is the relocation of the library from a single-story building to a prime location on the high street, creating a more accessible and appealing space for diverse demographics, including students from the two nearby performing arts colleges[1].

DRDH Architects, faced with the challenge of balancing commercial viability and civic ambition, won the commission by proposing to broaden the brief with nine apartments as a means of offsetting costs[1]. In today's climate of austerity, the project demonstrates the crucial role of public architecture in revitalizing once-deprived areas[1].

Daniel Rosbottom, the principal of DRDH, proudly reveals the extent of the London Borough of Bexley's deprivation and showcases the role the library has played in its rejuvenation. With roots in the Public Practice, an organization that supports high-quality placemaking within the public sector, DRDH delivers a modern vision of 'affordable civic' architecture[1].

The Sidcup Storyteller stands confidently amid the typical suburban high street's clutter, with a combination of brick and glossy salt-glazed bricks giving it a sleek, unmissable appearance[1]. The project was partially funded by the nine apartments, stacked at the rear of the site and partially screened by a 150-year-old oak tree[1].

As one ascends Station Road, the library and cinema enjoys a commanding presence, marking the arrival point for visitors[1]. The distinctive red brick exterior, featuring a hidden panel reading 'Library & Cinema,' subtly integrates the building into the streetscape[1].

Inside, the library and cinema's bold design continues, inspired by the local William Morris's Red House. Debate surrounds the use of spaces within the building, with walls separating co-working areas and libraries, creating a dichotomy between shared and private spaces[1].

Key design features include high ceilings, timber floors, wide windows, and mauve tiles, all crafted to blend practicality with elegance[1]. However, the installation of synthetic carpet tiles by the cinema franchise hinders the lasting aesthetic appeal of the building to some extent[1].

A self-contained, double-height café, operated by the cinema franchise, caters to the local residents and cinema patrons alike[1]. Acoustic planning ensures that the café's ambiance remains separate from the tranquil library environment[1].

The Sidcup Storyteller represents a delicate balance between commercial and civic interests, showcasing the seamless integration of community-focused facilities with revenue-generating elements. This innovative approach holds the potential to become a model for other high-street regeneration projects across the country[1].

Additional Images

Credits

Architect: DRDH ArchitectsStructural Engineer: Engineers HRWServices Engineer: Harley HaddowQuantity Surveyor: Playle & PartnersProject Manager: LBB Regeneration TeamCDM Coordinator: Playle & PartnersAcoustic Consultant: CharcoalblueBREEAM: WhitecodeApproved Building Inspector: Neilcott ConstructionClients: London Borough of Bexley

  1. The Sidcup Storyteller, a project in Sidcup's town center, aims to attract businesses and the community by revitalizing the area with an investment of £1.78 million.
  2. The library, a key component of the project, is being relocated to a prime location on the high street, catering to students from two nearby performing arts colleges.
  3. The project also includes nine apartments, designed by DRDH Architects, to offset costs and demonstrate the importance of public architecture in revitalizing deprived areas.
  4. The Sidcup Storyteller stands out among the typical suburban high street's clutter, with a mix of brick and glossy salt-glazed bricks, and partial funding from the apartments stacked at the rear of the site.
  5. Inside, the library and cinema feature a bold design inspired by local William Morris's Red House, offering a blend of practicality and elegance, though the use of synthetic carpet tiles by the cinema franchise may detract from the building's lasting aesthetic appeal.
  6. The project's café, operated by the cinema franchise, provides service to locals and cinema patrons, ensuring a separate ambiance with acoustic planning, and represents a potential model for high-street regeneration projects focusing on both community facilities and revenue generation.

Read also:

    Related

    Latest