| Architect |
Jestico &
Whiles |
| Date
Built |
2005 |
| Location |
College
Crescent near its junction with Finchley
Road in Swiss Cottage |
| Description |
|
The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama
lists among it illustrious alumni Sir
Lawrence Olivier, Dame Judy Dench, and
Vanessa Redgrave. It was founded at
the Royal Albert Hall in 1906 but moved to
Swiss Cottage in 1956 to occupy the Embassy
Theatre. Over the years they have
instigated a number of projects to upgrade
existing buildings and add new ones.
This building, opened in 2005, is the latest
addition. The building's architects,
Jestico and Whiles, say of it that, "The
design responds to the school’s long
term objectives of improving teaching
facilities and consolidating them into a
single campus, replacing existing
temporary and disparate accommodation.
The design is bold and creates a strong
identity in a busy urban context.
The building’s large scale and striking
form provides a presence both by day and
night. ... Small windows to the street
give pedestrians glimpses of the
interior. Vertical alternating white
glass with dark engineering brick, zinc
cladding and distinctive render
reinforce the bold features of the
scheme. The design of the building has
achieved a BREEAM rating of 'very good'
”.    |
|
|
Royal
Central School of Speech and Drama, Swiss Cottage,
London
 |
