Concrete Elegance: Considered Concrete

Jamie Fobert Architects are no strangers to designing in concrete. From award-winning private houses to the extension of Tate St Ives, exposed cast in situ concrete is part of their natural palette of materials. For this evening Jamie Fobert will guide us through a range of projects, describing the practice’s approach to concrete specification and detailing and lessons learnt along the way.

Also featured in this evening's presentations is the recently completed Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts in Peckham. It has an interesting story to tell about the use of exposed concrete to provide a material and cost efficient solution, bringing character and energy savings over the life of the building. Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts will be presented by Carl Turner, Carl Turner Architects and  Toby Ronalds, Eckersley O'Callaghan Engineers.

Of note is the design teams' ‘considered’ approach to the standard of concrete surface finishes specified. Presentations will include design development, technical challenges and solutions related to the use of cast in situ concrete and use of thermal mass.

Concrete Elegance is produced by the Building Centre and The Concrete Centre and is hosted by Elaine Toogood, Senior Architect at The Concrete Centre

Registration will begin at 6.00pm with the evening presentations starting 6.30pm and followed by an audience Q&A and a drinks reception. 

The event is free but booking is essential. As this is a joint event between The Concrete Centre and Building Centre, your booking details for this event will be provided to both parties.

Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts 

 © Tim Crocker

Located over five floors, the new premises for Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts brings all of the school's teaching to one site in Peckham, South London. This includes a 200-seat theatre, 22 dance and acting studios, music practice rooms, two TV studios and a radio suite as well as lettable office spaces, café and potential new rooftop bar.

Concrete is the principle construction material, evident in exposed cast in situ walls and soffits throughout the building. Various other construction material and systems were reviewed but concrete was chosen to meet the projects ambitious programme and cost targets. The approach to the quality of the concrete is described by the design team as ‘considered’. A natural ventilation strategy was developed to make good use of the thermal mass to minimise heating and cooling loads in the studios, while maintaining acoustic separation. The school building and associated studios are designed around a central ‘street’ or atrium, serving as the heart of the school where students meet, interact and informally rehearse. Student and staff have been occupying the building since September 2018.