Sands End Arts & Community Centre

Location: Fulham, London
Client: Hammersmith & Fulham Council
Date: 2017 - 2020
Awards: RIBA Stirling Prize - Shortlist 2022 RIBA National Awards - Winner 2022 RIBA London Awards Building of the Year - Winner 2022 RIBA Regional Awards - Winner 2022 RICS Awards - Shortlist 2022 AJ Awards - Winner 2021 Structural Timber Awards Architect of the Year - Winner 2021 Civic Trust Awards - Regional Finalist 2021 Wood Awards - Shortlist 2021 AJ Retrofit Awards - Shortlist 2021 Dezeen Awards - Longlist 2021 New London Awards Culture & Community - Winner 2018

We have designed a creative Arts and Community Centre for Hammersmith & Fulham Council. The centre provides large and airy spaces for art exhibitions, dance classes and community events alongside an ancillary café.

Our client’s mission was to create a centre which would advance social cohesion in the community; encouraged use, felt alive, was sustainable and merged seamlessly with its environment. It is designed as a meeting place, that feels welcoming to all; helping to shrink the community’s wealth gap, promote inclusivity and be multi-use. Through the design process we worked closely with the community, listening to their aspirations, and being proactive in bringing our client and community with us.

A member of the residents delivery group for the centre describes it as:

“A meeting place, a hub of activity across languages, cultures and economic background, a venue for creative expression, a flexible space which encourages the community to be flexible in its use. Perhaps most importantly, it will be what the broader Sands End community want it to be; today and for decades to come.”

The form of the building takes inspiration from the 19th century glasshouses – built by the preeminent horticulturalist James Veitch– that previously occupied the site at South Park.

It frames new landscaped spaces and is designed to be sustainable, not only because it has the potential for ongoing revenue generation, but also in terms of construction approach where we have used CLT and an innovative new brick made from waste products. This is the first time this product has been used in the UK.

The centre is fully accessible and caters for all user groups and ages with consideration of youth and older people.

A film commissioned by the AJ for the RIBA's Stirling Prize can be viewed here.

Planning information can be downloaded here: ref 2017/03997/FR3

SEACC shortlisted for Erich Mendelsohn Award 2023 for Brick Architecture Project Update

Sands End Arts & Community Centre has been shortlisted for the Erich Mendelsohn Award 2023 for Brick Architecture.

Submissions came from all over the world: from Europe, China, from South America

Bauwelt editor and jury member Ulrich Brinkmann reflecting on the jury meeting said "The standard of innovation associated with the name Mendelsohn was constantly confirmed by these excellent projects",

The jury comprised Fabrizio Barozzi (Barozzi Veiga) from Barcelona, Andrés Solíz (Escobedo Soliz) from Mexico, Susanne Wartzeck (President Bund Deutscher Architektinnen und Architekten BDA) and Silvia Schellenberg-Thaut (Atelier ST)

A total of 584 projects from 33 countries were submitted.

The winner will be announced on the 8th September.
July 2023
RIBA Short Film of Sands End Arts & Community Centre released Project Update

A great short film of Sands End Arts & Community Centre in South West London has been released, this time from Northern Town Productions for RIBA, in celebration & anticipation of the RIBA Stirling Prize Awards ceremony on Thursday 13th October 2022.

The RIBA Stirling Prize is the UK’s most prestigious architecture award. The award is given to the architect of the building, thought to be the most significant of the year for the evolution of architecture and the built environment.

We wish all contenders the best of luck.
October 2022 Watch the full clip here
RIBA Stirling Prize 2022 Shortlist Film from Architects Journal is released Project Update

Ahead of the announcement of the winner of the RIBA Stirling Prize 2022 this week, we're so pleased and proud to share the recently published short film from Jim Stephenson for Architect's Journal featuring Sands End Arts & Community Centre. This beautifully shot clip includes our clients at London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham, as well as Alex Ely from Mæ.

Many thanks to all those that took part in the film & project and good luck to all contenders!
October 2022 Watch the full AJ film here
Sands End Arts & Community Centre shortlisted for the RIBA Stirling Prize 2022 Project Update

The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has revealed the six buildings in the running for the 2022 RIBA Stirling Prize, as announced late July.

Amongst the shortlist sits Mæ Architect's Sands End Arts & Community scheme in Fulham, London. The development and design consists a single-storey building comprising bright, airy and flexible activity spaces and a community café around a disused lodge.

The jury have commended the Mæ team for their "confidence and inventiveness, delivering a highly sustainable, delightful and flexible asset for the client".

The overall winner of the RIBA Stirling Award will be announced in October 2022.
July 2022 See the six shortlisted projects
Sands End Arts & Community Centre wins RIBA National Award 2022 Project Update

An outstanding result for Mæ as Sands End Arts & Community Centre is honoured with the RIBA National Award 2022.

The social & sustainable scheme comprises creative flexible spaces for art exhibitions, dance classes and community events alongside an ancillary café, open to the public daily.
The brand new centre has been built in and around the currently disused Clancarty Lodge in South Park, Fulham and is a welcome addition to the surrounding community.
June 2022 Find out more
Sands End Arts & Community Centre wins RIBA Regional Building of the Year Award for London Project Update

A monumental milestone and huge honour as Sands End Arts & Community centre receives RIBA London Building of the Year Award 2022.

Announced at the RIBA’s London headquarters, the scheme in Sands End, Fulham was chosen ahead of 41 other projects to take the London crown.
May 2022 View Project
Sands End Arts & Community Centre wins RIBA London Regional Awards 2022 Project Update

A triumph for Mæ as Sands End Arts & Community Centre is awarded a RIBA London Regional Award 2022.

Clad in a skin of honey-toned brick, roofs edged in pre-patinated copper, the new pavilions are inspired by the 19th century glasshouses that once stood on site in Fulham. The series of distinctive pavilions provide lettable spaces for arts and cultural activity, alongside a brand new cafe, making a significant contribution to the local community, who now run and manage the venue.

A highly sustainable, social and spatial project which we're now delighted to title an RIBA award-winning scheme.
May 2022 View Project
Sands End Arts & Community Centre shortlisted for the RICS Awards 2022 Project Update

Mæ are pleased to announce Sands End Arts & Community Centre has been shortlisted for the Community Benefit category in this year's RICS Awards 2022.

The RICS awards are renown for showcasing the most inspirational and innovative initiatives and developments across the country in construction, land and infrastructure. Projects are also required to demonstrate the highest standards of not only professionalism, but also ethics by individuals and teams across the built and natural environment.
April 2022 RICS Awards Shortlist 2022
Arcangelo assemble perform at Sands End Arts & Community Centre Project Update

Following Sands End Arts & Community Centre official launch in March, Arcangelo; one of the world's leading period performance ensembles has chosen Sands End as a rehearsal and open rehearsal performance venue.

At the various rehearsal sessions, you'll find the ensemble make final preparations for a Shakespeare-themed programme of music by Henry Purcell and John Blow which is being taken on tour to Bilbao in 2022.

The vocals, acoustics and musicians have sparked audience praise and ovations internationally and we're so proud they've utilised Sands End Events Hall for their renown events and trio sonatas.
March 2022 Read More
Two projects shortlisted for the RIBA London Regional Awards 2022 Practice News

A number of schemes in the heart of the city have been shortlisted for this year's RIBA London Regional Awards 2022.

From schools to studios, towers to terraces, the shortlist focusses on the sustainable and social impact that positively shape a community.

Mæ are proud that not only Sands End Arts & Community Centre in Fulham has been considered and shortlisted, but also Pinnacle House, on the Thames river's edge in Royal Wharf, featuring smooth scalloped edges inspired by oyster shells found in the dock walls that once stood.

All shortlisted schemes will be assessed by a regional jury with the winning projects and practices announced later this Spring.
March 2022 Read more
Sands End Arts & Community Centre Shortlisted for RIBA London Regional Awards 2022 Project Update

A list of 68 projects have been shortlisted for the RIBA London Regional Awards 2022, from towers to terraces, a mix of schools, community centres, residential and mixed-use projects are included within the selection - great schemes from brilliant teams, across the board. The list focusses on the sustainable and social impact that positively shapes a community and Mæ are pleased to announce Sands End Arts & Community Centre in Fulham is amongst the projects considered and shortlisted. All schemes will be accessed by a regional jury with the winning projects being announced later this Spring.
March 2022 View Project
Sands End Arts and Community Centre wins AJ Award 2021 Project Update

Mæ are thrilled to reveal Sands End Arts and Community Centre in Fulham has won the AJ Awards 2021 for the Community & Faith category. Quoted from the judges: ''From it's presence on the street, to the exceptionally beautiful entrance, to the quality of light, to the way the building flows, this is architecture with a capital A''. Mæ are delighted with the result and would like to thank all those involved.
November 2021 Find out more
Architect of the year Practice News

Mæ has won the Architect of the Year Award in the Structural Timber Awards 2021. Announced at a ceremony on 6th October at the National Conference Centre, Birmingham the awards recognise compelling examples of what can be achieved using the most natural and sustainable of materials.
October 2021
Sands End Arts and Community Centre shortlisted for Wood Awards Project Update

Sands End Arts and Community Centre has been shortlisted at the 2021 Wood Awards which recognise excellence in architecture and product design in wood.

This project for the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham features large scale CLT panels and glulam beams which have been used as the primary structural material and left exposed or stained green to highlight the material’s intrinsic qualities.

Sands End Arts and Community Centre replaces an older facility that stood in the vicinity. The new centre comprises the refurbished Grade-II listed Clancarty Lodge and a series of flexible, newly built one-storey pavilions clustered around the original structure. The lodge’s exterior has been faithfully restored in line with heritage requirements.
September 2021
Mæ selected as a finalist for BD's Social Impact Architect of the Year 2021 Practice News

Mæ has been selected as a finalist for Building Design's Social Impact Architect of the Year Award 2021.

The award recognises architects whose work is making a tangible difference to the quality of people’s lives. The winner will be an architectural practice whose schemes have increased the well being of end users and the wider community.

The judges have selected projects which promote community spirit, encourage healthy, active lifestyles, and make efficient use of resources for construction and operation and promote biodiversity.

The winner will be announced in October.
August 2021
Sands End Arts & Community Centre and John Morden Centre shortlisted for AJ Awards Project Update

Both Sands End Arts and Community Centre and John Morden Centre have been shortlisted for AJ Awards in the Community and Faith Project, and Health and Wellbeing Project categories respectively.

The Architects' Journal Architecture Awards recognise excellence in UK architecture across a range of categories, winning projects will be announced at a ceremony in November.
August 2021
Sands End Arts and Community Centre and John Morden Centre shortlisted for the Structural Timber Awards 2021 Project Update

Sands End Arts and Community Centre and John Morden Centre have been shortlisted in the 2021 Structural Timber Awards, in the Architect of the Year and Healthcare categories respectively.
Both projects use cross laminated timber throughout to create a lower carbon footprint.
Winners will be announced later this year at a ceremony in Birmingham.
July 2021
Sands End Arts and Community Centre shortlisted for an AJ Retrofit Award Project Update

Sands End Arts and Community Centre has been shortlisted for an Architects' Journal Retrofit Award in the Cultural and Religious Buildings category.

The project restores and completely retrofits the 1903 Clancarty Lodge, which forms the nucleus of a new community hub in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. The existing building is surrounded by single-storey pavilions featuring large clerestory windows and saw tooth roofs. The flexible space will be run by a local community trust.

Winners will be announced at a virtual awards ceremony in February.
January 2021
Sands End Arts and Community Centre selected as 2021 Civic Trust Awards Regional Finalist Project Update

Sands End Arts and Community Centre has been selected as a Regional Finalist in the 2021 Civic Trust Awards.

The Civic Trust Awards are an independent not-for-profit organisation recognising projects that have made a positive contribution to the local communities they serve. The selection process also includes the general public who are involved in judging schemes from their local area.

Winning projects and special prizes will be announced in January 2021.
November 2020
Sands End Arts and Community Centre completes Project Update

Our Sands End Arts and Community Centre project for LB Hammersmith & Fulham is now complete. The new centre is a flexible space for the community and will facilitate art exhibitions and community events with an ancillary café and children’s day nursery.

A member of the residents delivery group for the centre describes it as: “A meeting place, a hub of activity across languages, cultures and economic background, a venue for creative expression, a flexible space which encourages the community to be flexible in its use. Perhaps most importantly, it will be what the broader Sands End community want it to be; today and for decades to come.”
September 2020 View Project
Sands End Arts and Community Centre Project Update

Sands End Arts and Community Centre is progressing at pace with the cross laminated timber structure well under way towards completion. The scheme will provide spaces for art exhibitions and community events with an ancillary café and children’s day nursery. Modern and sustainable methods of construction are being used throughout the project including an innovative new recycled brick made from waste.
September 2019 View Project
Sands End Arts and Community Centre wins a New London Award Project Update

Sands End Arts and Community Centre has won at the New London Awards 2018. Our win is recognised in the unbuilt section of the Culture & Community category at the awards which seeks to champion the best examples of civic projects for local residents and international visitors.

We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to all of our collaborators on this project, especially to the local community in Hammersmith & Fulham, of whom our Centre will primarily serve.
July 2018 View Project
Sands End Arts and Community Centre shortlisted at the New London Awards 2018 Project Update

Sands End Arts & Community Centre for Hammersmith & Fulham Council has been shortlisted in the Culture & Community category at the New London Awards 2018 . The New London Awards honour the capital’s very best architecture, planning and development giving recognition to the impact projects have on their surroundings and to London as a whole, as well as to their architectural quality

Our scheme will appear in the New London Architecture exhibition, as selected by an international jury. Winners will be announced on 4 July.
June 2018 Vote for our scheme to win the NLA People's Choice Award here
Mæ granted planning consent for creative Arts and Community centre in Fulham Project Update

Mæ has received unanimous approval at planning committee for the Sands End Arts and Community Centre scheme in Fulham, London. The centre will be set within its own garden space and aims to provide rooms and spaces suitable for a variety of activities including social and educational functions, clubs, meetings and events.

The centre is intended to relate to, and serve local people, to promote social integration within the community, and to provide a local focus to combat social isolation. Image courtesy of Forbes Massie.
January 2018 View Project