221005 MArys D&AStatement - Flipbook - Page 17
4. DESIGN PROPOSAL
Original cluster of roof forms
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Sketch of a cluster of roof forms at the east end of the church
4.1 Overview
4.2 A Cluster of Forms
This proposal rebuilds the 2005 St Mary’s Centre as
the new home for Mary’s, making a small two-storey
extension on the same site.
The 1871 church, with its tall pitching slate roof to the
nave and chancel, was designed as a tall, central
volume around which have been clustered more recent
additions - the aisles, lady chapel, ambulatory and
church hall. They form a dynamic group, adapting to
the geometries of the site and reflecting the way that
parish needs have changed over time.
The new building provides a separate entrance for
Mary’s, together with dedicated accommodation. It will
be primarily for use by Mary’s, but is fully integrated
into the rest of the church building to bring flexibility.
The St Mary Centre is a small radial building with an
emphatic entrance, which provides level access to the
church hall as well as a small counselling room and
disabled wc. The scale of the door misleadingly
suggests a main entrance, and the plan provides little
accommodation. We are therefore proposing to
re-build on this site, limiting change to the listed fabric.
Mary’s, Primrose Hill
Diagram showing relationship of new roof ridges to the main hall
We are proposing an addition which sits amongst this
cluster. The new building continues the steep pitch of
the church hall sitting to the north, forming two more
roofs to make a central foyer with the larger spaces to
the south.
The continuation of the roof form brings a coherence to
the various additions, and draws together these forms
around the nave.
In plan, these two volumes step around the existing
trees in front of the building, and reconcile the site
geometries to make a dynamic form that opens and
moves as you pass by.
Model photograph
Dow Jones Architects