Architecture

James Leal Centre by Sarah Wigglesworth
Architects

Joe Mills

26 August 2010

This visitor centre in Redbridge, England, by UK firm Sarah Wigglesworth Architects features a zig-zag roof with oversailing wooden trusses.

Situated in the heart of Ray Park, The James Leal Centre becomes a gateway to the Roding Valley and contains leisure and education facilities.

The north-facing sides of the roof have a shallow pitch and are covered in solar thermal collectors, while the south-facing sides are steeper and admit indirect natural light.

A translucent canopy covers a forecourt to the west, which can also be used as an outdoor gallery.

Photos are by Mark Hadden.

Here’s a bit more from the architect:

Ray Park Visitor Centre, Redbridge, London
2006 – 2009, £1.2 million

Located on elevated ground on the site of the former 18thC Ray House, this new sustainable building acts as a gateway to the Roding Valley Corridor, providing recreation and leisure facilities.

The flexible open plan space contains a café, exhibition, internet and toilet facilities, a teaching/training space and the Greenspace Team’s office.

An external translucent canopy defines a large forecourt to the west that acts as a gathering zone and outdoor exhibition area with cycle and disabled parking facilities.

The cafe extends south over a new terrace adjacent to raised planting beds which grow edible plants for use in the café.

The brief for a sustainable building is reflected in the roof form. Multiple pitches support solar thermal collectors on shallow south faces while steeper north faces allow good roof light.