Title: | Television Centre, London, UK |
Markets: | Residential, Public Realm |
Client: | Stanhope and Mitsui Fudosan |
Services: | Landscape architecture |
Region: | United Kingdom |
Status: | Complete |
Team: | AHMM |
Photography: | John Sturrock |
The iconic BBC Television Centre in West London has been transformed into a mixed-use development with a generous and vibrant setting by Gillespies. For the first time in BBC's history, the site is open to the public, reconnecting the area with surrounding communities after many years of being inward-looking.
The Television Centre, designed by award-winning architects Allford Hall Monaghan Morris, has been transformed into an impressive mixed-use development. It now offers office and studio space for the BBC, a range of entertainment and leisure facilities, private residential homes with gardens, a boutique hotel, and an extensive public realm of high quality.
The Television Centre's famous forecourt has been completely reimagined, and the Helios Courtyard has been revitalised to form a joyful and inviting public plaza, seamlessly connecting the entire site and encouraging visitors into the heart of the space. The design of the forecourt is a contemporary rendition of a London Garden Square, lending the space an unforgettable and energetic atmosphere filled with active perimeters, walkways, trees, planting, seating, and outdoor activity.
A public walkway leads residents and visitors through the forecourt and continues up towards the Helios Plaza, a circular courtyard which forms the inner ring of London’s Television Centre, where the famous 10-foot-tall bronze ‘Helios’ statue has been reinstated. The plaza's design maintains the simplicity of the original architectural concept and introduces a softer garden character surrounding the fountain.
Nestled between the Helios and the newly constructed Crescent Building, there is a private landscaped courtyard that offers residents a secluded and tranquil oasis. Here, they can sit, relax, and enjoy the naturalistic swathes of vibrant planting that change with the seasons. The gentle curvature of the landscaping is inspired by the waves of information that have been transmitted for half a century from the Television Centre. The courtyard is a perfect place to escape from the hustle and bustle of the city and enjoy a peaceful moment in nature.
The Television Centre demonstrates the transformative power of landscape architecture in urban areas, enriching city life by providing access to beautiful spaces and nature where stories can unfold.
"The opportunity to work on Television Centre has given us unprecedented access to a truly remarkable and unique environment. As the first purpose-built home of television broadcasting, this complex of buildings became synonymous with the news stories and popular entertainment shows that helped define the latter half of the 20th century. There can be few places that are held in such warmth and affection by the nation, and, as a team, we were therefore mindful from the start of our responsibility to handle this site with care. Yet this is a project about new beginnings, and much of our work has been to create and shape external spaces within the historic fabric that will engage with the people who will now call this place home."
Stephen Richards, Partner, Gillespies
Awards
- 2015 World Architecture Festival Finalist: Masterplanning — Future Projects
- 2018 Hammersmith Society Environmental Award 2018
- 2018 AJ Architecture Awards - Mixed Use Project of the Year
- 2019 RIBA Regional Award
- 2019 RIBA National Award
- 2019 AJ Architecture Award - Landscape Architecture Project of the Year
- 2021 Place of the Year, Pineapple Awards