Land Securities has been granted planning permission for the Architecture Foundation’s new architecture centre on London’s Southbank.
Plans for the Zaha Hadid-designed building at the Bankside 123 development on Southwark Street, SE1, were approved by Southwark council last night.
The building will replace the foundation’s base in Clerkenwell, and will open in autumn 2008.
The Architecture Foundation will be organised over four levels united by a vertical glass-walled space connecting with the public realm outside.
It will also provide exhibition space on the ground, mezzanine and first floors, an events space on the first floor, and offices and a boardroom on the top floor.
There is also provision for a café/bar on the ground floor.
The new home for British architecture will double as both the charity’s headquarters and a purpose built public venue for exhibitions and events on architecture.
Mike Hussey, LandSec’s managing director of the London Portfolio, said: “Zaha Hadid is one of the world’s leading architects and we are delighted with the way in which the building responds to the needs of the AF and its wider appeal to the community.
“The cutting-edge new design highlights our commitment to great architecture and will contribute to the regeneration of Southwark.
“Southwark is fast-becoming a cultural hub with Tate Modern, The Globe Theatre, and now the Architecture Foundation, at its heart.”
Hadid added: “I am absolutely delighted that the designs for the new Architecture Foundation headquarters have secured planning permission.
“The centre will be my first public building in London and is therefore an especially important project for my practice.”
References: EGi News 01/11/06
