Skyroom is another one of those projects that is indicative of the way we work and how projects can evolve and change over time. This project was developed in collaboration with The Architecture Foundation, a think-tank for architecture that we have supported over the years. They had developed an exchange programme between young architects in the UK and Turkey to look at the similarity and differences between their approach to design in London and Istanbul.
One theme that emerged was how in Istanbul the rooftops of buildings were used as public spaces and were seen as potential gap sites in the city for appropriation. The architects believed – as did we – that there was potential to bring this to London by raising awareness of the many spaces and places that are available if you just look up.
Therefore we developed Skyroom together with David Kohn Architects, one of the UK practices that had taken part in the exchange programme. Skyroom was constructed above our building on Tooley Street that was also home to The Architecture Foundation.
Originally conceived as a temporary project, Skyroom hosted a series of public facing events curated by The Architecture Foundation as well as a bar and restaurant run by Platterform.
We are now working to transform Skyroom into a innovative office space that will make permanent use of this underused rooftop space. We are onsite and hope the project will be completed in 2016.
There is also a website dedicated to Skyroom which you can find here.
Location: Magdalen House, 134-148 Tooley Street, London SE1 2TU
Project completed: 2010
Architect: David Kohn Architects
Estimated completion of present transformation: 2016