The Story
Conceived in 2005, a huge amount of time and effort has gone
into designing the Goldsmiths' Centre and facilities. From the
Goldsmiths' Company,
Goldsmiths' Centre Trustees and Director to project managers and
logistics experts; from architects to building contractors; a
dedicated team of professionals have worked together to make the
building a reality.
The Project
This £17.5 million project represents the Goldsmiths' Company's
largest ever direct investment in the craft and industry with a
particular focus on the trade, education and industry
development.
The Goldsmiths' Centre development has involved the restoration
of an existing Grade II Listed Victorian
London Board School and the creation of a new, purpose-built
four-storey building on the same site. It accommodates workshop
space for established firms of silversmiths and jewellers and
subsidised workspaces for young craftspeople starting out in
business.
The Goldsmiths' Company partnered with the City Fringe Partnership and the London Development Agency
(the Mayor's agency responsible for London's sustainable economic
growth) to develop the site, helping to address the loss
of vocational training opportunities within the industry and to
meet the challenges faced by those wishing to join the industry
after Higher Education.
Design and sustainability
The Centre is a sustainable development which will provide space
for the craft and industry for generations to come. In designing
the building, the architects and other members of the design team
have made a concerted effort to minimise the environmental impact
of construction.
The Centre's buildings, designed by a team led by Lyall, Bills and
Young Architects, has incorporated the use of old and new
materials. York stone and bronze is used in conjunction with glass
to complement the London stock brickwork of the existing school
building.
To generate the energy for the buildings at the former Eagle
Court site, the designs make use of renewable energy via air
source heat pumps and photovoltaic cells, providing heat and light
throughout and even rain water harvesting to conserve water.
More information on the Building