Adam Khan Architects is a London-based practice with a depth of knowledge in modern design, construction and detailing. At the very heart of the firm is the belief that architecture should perform equally at all scales, from large-scale design through to the smallest detail.
Moreover, any sort of house style is eschewed in favour of a programme-specific and site-specific approach, with Adam Khan Architects counselling its clients to maximise their budgets by investing in more thoughtful design and higher quality construction.
From inception through build, Adam Khan Architects deliver durable, contextual and responsible contemporary designs, working on a broad portfolio of projects that takes in everything from important and prestigious commercial schemes through to private residential clients.
The New Horizon Youth Centre, which was a winner at the RIBA London Awards 2010, is an excellent example of the practice’s ability to take a challenging and somewhat different brief and turn it into a building that breaks new ground in its particular field.
The refurbishment and extension of the New Horizon Youth Centre, an established day centre for young homeless people, was centred on the concept of the home. More often than not, of course, this kind of facility comes across as being cold and institutional. In spite of this, Adam Khan Architects managed to incorporate nurturing qualities together with the flexibility, ease and generosity of a welcoming, settled house. Naturally, the institutional ‘stuff’ was still in there, but it was disguised, making way for an interior that provided wide stairs, work desks and window nooks, along with solid pieces of infrastructure such as a concrete counter in the kitchen and a long oak table with banqueting seating in the main area. This large space is known as the Barn; a soaring wooden room of softly folding roof planes, perfect for play, daydreaming and letting the imagination take flight.
The New Horizon Youth Centre presented Adam Khan Architects with a number of challenges, not least the close proximity to neighbours on what is a constrained site. In particular, the requirement for space that doubled as a drama area and recording studio, amongst many other things. It was also decided to rent out the Centre for community use, including such celebrations as weddings and birthdays. So whilst it had to be a building that could ‘take a few knocks’ it also had to be a bit ‘swanky’; a place that everyone could be proud of and feel comfortable in. Adam Khan Architects succeeded on every front.
At the present time, the practice is working on a fascinating project that is due for completion in the spring of 2011 – Brockholes Visitor Centre.
Already featured on BBC 1’s Countryfile programme, Brockholes Visitor Centre features a collection of buildings and open spaces that form a village-like cluster, floating on a large pontoon. As well as giving unlimited flood protection, this brings the visitor into enchanting territory amongst the reeds at the water’s edge. Adam Khan Architects is acting as architect and lead consultant for the new visitor centre and the master planning of the 67 hectare nature reserve. Zero carbon, and currently on course to achieve the new and highest BREEAM rating of sustainability (Outstanding), Brockholes Visitor Centre is an £8 million development that is being funded by the North West Regional Development Agency.
Established in 2006, Adam Khan Architects is committed to beauty and sociability, in tandem with partnership and engagement across all disciplines and social boundaries. This enlightened outlook has resulted in collaborations with artists, work on large scale urban design projects with major developers, and ongoing visioning work in Peckham, bringing together diverse stakeholders and community user groups. The practice enjoys its role in offering inspiration and vision, sharp critique, practical beauty and social responsibility.
For further information, visit www.adamkhan.co.uk.
