Make has helped transform the former Olympic Park site in Stratford into an exciting new riverside destination with the opening of its first legacy building, the Podium. The opening of the hub building makes the award-winning architecture firm the only architect to date to have delivered an Olympic venue (the Copper Box Arena), as well as a legacy venue.
Image © Make Architects
The new visitors centre for the south part of the park, and the ArcelorMittal Orbit visitor attraction, includes retail spaces, ticketing, as well as a flexible events space that features a roof terrace with panoramic views over the park. The architects also included four kiosks of different sizes, dispersed along the South Park promenade, as well as an interactive ‘pixel wall’ art installation.
Image © Make Architects
Make understood what kind of building we needed in this location – a simple building, designed around its function within a park, but also a building that has a strong presence in its own right, capable of sitting comfortably alongside the Orbit and the Aquatics Centre across the river.
– Selina Mason, former Director of Design Integration for London Legacy Development Corporation
Image © Make Architects
The Podium is set within newly landscaped gardens, waterways, and play areas, as well as in close vicinity to several major venues such as the ArcelorMittal Orbit and the Aquatics Centre. The South Park Landscape Masterplan, was led and designed by New York-based landscape architects James Corner Field Operations (JCFO), famous for their work on the High Line in Manhattan. The design was selected from a shortlist of five schemes in December 2011, following an international competition.
Image © Make Architects
The low-lying rectilinear, pavilion-like structure appears simple, calm and considered, and works with the landscape as part of a wider masterplan. It’s been designed to offer a strong visual connection with the surroundings.
– Stuart Fraser, lead project architect and partner at Make
Image © Make Architects
Make used a traditional Japanese technique of charring timber, known as Yakisugi’, to give the walls of the building a dark, textured finish. The dark finish creates a strong contrast against the striking white metal roof, while the retail space features full height glazed panels to maximize the view.
Image © Make Architects
The construction of The Podium is one of the anchors for the regeneration of the south park site. Make successfully delivered the Copper Box for the Games and we are delighted to see our first legacy building completed, which we hope will become a key destination for visitors to the park.
– Stuart Fraser, lead project architect and partner at Make
All construction materials were prefabricated and manufactured in a controlled factory environment to deliver a consistent quality. The walls and roof were specified as cross-laminated timber, while the building’s spine wall that separates the public and private areas, uses precast concrete. The building also achieved a BREEAM excellent rating for surpassing its energy and carbon reduction targets.
*All images and information courtesy of Make Architects.
