By Konstantinos Evangelou

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Connection to Harringay Warehouse District

The following observations form the backbone of the proposal:

The warehouse buildings provide a simple, sheltered backdrop that enables the creativity and activity of its community. The community is the main creative focus with the buildings forming the stage. While the communal aspects of the district are at the forefront, the warehouse district also provides for a rich private and protected world away from the street. This world is defined by the simple, regular interiors of the warehouse buildings, which allow for flexibility to suit the variety in people that live and work within them.

Proposal Outline

The proposal is inspired by both the human and the built aspects of the district:

Community at the center

The pavilion aims to provide a simple shelter that allows the activity of the community to form the focal point. The pavilion acknowledges both aspects of life within the district: the visible collective character of the community as well as the sheltered private aspects of the warehouse interiors. Once built, the pavilion design itself aims to take a back step and bring the activities within to the forefront.

The pavilion therefore takes the form of a modest and simple pitched roof structure with a taller public facing facade and a more private, shorter face. The south facing space can be opened directly to the street and has a light, communal and collaborative character. The north facing space, as defined between the pavilion and the surrounding trees, is seen as a secluded garden space and has a more private and intimate character.

Variety of Activity

Inspired by the multifaceted character of the warehouse community, the large south facing hall can be used as a single space for larger functions, such as markets, concerts and social gatherings but also has the ability to be split into smaller spaces, using tarpaulin curtains, for smaller functions such as workshops and exhibitions. Orientation and building form are chosen to take advantage of natural light. The southern space in front of the pavilion is designed to allow for a mobile kitchen/food truck to be placed on the site.

The creative use of what is already there, evident in the warehouse district, also inspired the proposal. The north facing space uses the existing treeline to create a more secluded space intended for activities that require more privacy and quiet such as yoga classes, talks for smaller groups or just for friends to sit in peace facing the trees. The low roof on this side allows for natural light to enter the space and the roof overhang provides shelter for people sitting, even when raining.

Central to the north and south spaces is the connecting path that allows the two sides to be used as one or independently when needed.

Simplicity and Flexibility

Recognising the practical built characteristics of the warehouses, the pavilion utilises a regular grid and unobstructed space to generate the same advantages. The spaces are flexible and conducive to different types of uses whether quiet or loud, collaborative or singular, controlled or chaotic. The grid in conjunction with simple forms was also chosen to simplify construction and to enable the use of common board materials that can easily be reclaimed or found cost effectively. The materiality is robust to allow for the layering of ideas that will happen throughout the life of the pavilion.