Now in its silver anniversary year, Open House London opens its doors to some of Gibberds reputable buildings and spaces. Pullman Court, Chrisp Street Market and Fulwell Cross Library are all buildings to look out for this year.

Pullman Court

Frederick Gibberd Architects were appointed to design one of the chief examples of International Modern style developments in Britain, located in Streatham Hill. The design of 218 flats with a variety of one- to four-room units are organised over three blocks bound by a belt of mature trees to diminish noise disruption. As a consequence to the housing shortage, the attractiveness of communal housing schemes and wider availability of reinforced concrete and steel, Gibberd were presented with an opportunity to provide a design with an awakening diversity of planning and detailing. The two blocks are organised in order to capitalize on natural daylight of varied massing and scale nested by central courtyards interspersed with lawns and mature trees. The scheme is sensitive to landscape in the preservation of existing trees and the way in which the design encourages outdoor space overlooking the covered reservoir of the Lambeth waterworks. The elongated balcony walkways accentuate the robust impact of the five and seven storey blocks and bestows an enjoyable living environment influenced by the Bauhaus movement.  In 1995 the external fabric of the buildings was expansively refurbished and notably cultivated from a Grade II to Grade II* Listed development.

Chrisp Street Market

This bustling east end Chrisp Street Market was originally a Victorian street market. The centre was designed by Frederick Gibberd as part of the ‘living architecture’ element of the 1951 Festival of Britain and was the first pedestrianised shopping centre of its kind. This redevelopment, after the Second World War, provided a central square that became not only the first pedestrian shopping centre in Britain but also a landmark in new urban design.

The whole area still has many of these prominent architect features to show for it, such as the iconic Clock Tower shown below and the traditional 1950 style housing lining Market Way. Chrisp Street Market has so much to offer and a great deal to be proud of – a vibrant, diverse centre, with a strong sense of identity and heritage as a market and a retail area. The centre is located in the heart of Tower Hamlets and its catchment area represents an enormous potential customer base

Fulwell Cross Library

Frederick Gibberd was appointed as architects to Ilford council for a high-profile scheme on a prominent site overlooking the Fulwell Cross roundabout. The design evolves over a decade from an original proposal for an Olympic-sized swimming pool, with the scope increased to include a library which eventually becomes the focus of the scheme. This is a striking circular design surmounted by a radial fluted concrete shell roof rising from a clerestory of arched windows illuminating the central space. The building is listed as Grade II.

Frederick Gibberd Partnership have worked closely with Broxbourne Borough Council in preparing a quality design proposal for the site of the former Wolsey Hall in Cheshunt , Hertfordshire. The scheme comprises of 24No residential units and is intended to provide some distinction and architectural merit to the locality. The site is located close to ‘The Pond’ and is something of a gateway development. The building form is devised as perimeter blocking as an appropriate reaction to the site context and a means of optimising capacity whilst imparting architectural merit. The form is articulated to provide a good outlook, with the majority of units enjoying dual-aspect. The elevations are articulated and material use is notably varied to create a grounded but remarkable addition to the area.

The first section of works at the £14.5million Derwent mental health unit has now been occupied. The project includes the remodelling, refurbishment and extension of the existing building at the Princess Alexandra Hospital site in Harlow, Essex. The completed scheme will revolutionise the model of care provision of the unit benefiting from:

• Erection of an additional 3700m2,  four storey extension to the unit in a modern aesthetic to significantly improve the image of the Derwent Centre

•Provision of 30 new ensuite anti-ligature patient bedrooms and 2 dedicated disabled bedrooms with ensuite shower rooms, replacing outmoded dormitory accommodation.

•Segregated male & female wards, each with dedicated dining room, kitchen and separate day areas, plus additional lounges and interview/care review rooms.

•Relocation of acute ward to ground floor to give direct access to secure garden. Wards arranged ‘back-to-back’ to allow variation in capacity between wards, and allow staff in adjacent ward to render assistance in an emergency. New nurse call system.

•New centralised 460m2 first floor recreational ‘hub’ area together with kitchen servery, therapy rooms, library, quite zones and sensory rooms, to improve patient interaction and recovery.

•Over 100 new secure double glazed windows with patient controlled ventilation in secure bedrooms.

•Over 200 new heavy duty, fire-rated doorsets with associated anti-ligature ironmongery, controlled vision panels, card operated access control and door top alarms in vulnerable areas.

•6000 m2 of new floor finishes to meet requirements of durability, health and safety, and infection control

•Over 2000 m2 of insulated render overcladding to improve energy efficient and patient thermal comfort, and meet current building regulations.

•A new 1400m2 curved aluminium roof to replace leaking 1960s flat roof and accommodate new heating and ventilation plant, with all services renewed throughout.

The scheme is due for completion in 2017 with all clinical areas remaining operational throughout the works, and will improve the sustainability, thermal performance, character, appeal and model of care provided by the building.