The spaces created by this building is what makes it. The fashion shoot photographs of its external angles obviously try to appeal to the non-architecturally inclined public, but I know for certain this was not an attempt to create an “icon”. The tall elevated cross is merely making a gesture to balance the repeating roof patterns. Inside the details are clean and comfortable and in terms of actual finishes and fittings, this building is of a very high standard, and it was on budget.

It seems dezeen promotes knee-jerk vilification of projects without closer scrutiny of what makes or does not make a building “a success” or not. Explanations are great, but sporadic negative comments are just bad for people trying to put new work out into the world.

My 2p.

The building is positioned on one of the three main arterial routes into chelmsford but until the new building was completed, no-one even knew that the Salvation Army was based there. This new building has not only stamped their presence into what was otherwise an exceptionally mediocrem, semi-urban site but it has made the Salvation Army a talking point again…and from what I understand (via the parental ‘lay person’ point of view) a bit of a local success story. If you consider yourself to be a architect/designer with any social merit, this building should stand out as a triumph.

Sure, there may be prettier ways of dealing with the issues involved, and I’m not saying that it doesn’t look like a prison inside; but I do think that it deserves a little bit more praise than its currently getting.