Jewish Community Centre (JW3)
Based in North West London, JW3 is the only Jewish Community Centre of its kind in the UK. The 10,600 sqm centre includes an auditorium, cinema, dance studios, café, nursery, office space and a residential block that bring the community together in a unique way.
JCC Ventures Ltd
Architect
Lifschutz Davidson Sandilands
Contractor
Bam Construction
Quantity Surveyor
Gardiner & Theobald
When we joined architect, Lifschutz Davidson Sandilands and Bam Construction on this exciting development, the design and intent were already well advanced, but there were a number of challenges to be worked through.
A blast-rated façade had been adopted, but no usable test data for acoustic or thermal performance was available from any previously tested system.
The challenge to achieve the architectural intent with bulky and limited system selection had to be worked through, and a thorough engineering process was required to bring everything together.
Working closely with a blast specialist and with system house, Schueco, the FW80+ stick system was adapted and reinforced to give the primary system. Insert sliding doors, louvres and opening vents were designed into the system including reinforcement, and then a series of bespoke bronze extrusions planted on the face of the profiles to give the architectural intent.
With the primary blast rated areas covered off with curtain walling, the bronze solar shading was designed as outside of this, with a unique carrier system that facilitated cleaning. Anodised window frames were used on the residential tower with weathering lines running back to the structure and then covered off with bronze, timber and zinc cladding.
Other areas of cladding at rooftop level and back of house were finished with anodised aluminium panels using a bespoke carrier system.
The finished purpose-built community hub, with its stylish yet perfectly detailed finish, received a BREEAM Excellent rating, the RIBA National and London Award in 2014 and also shortlisted for the Stirling Prize Midlist in 2014.
