Greenwich modern architecture guide
A brief guide to nine of the modern architectural highlights of Greenwich.
Laban Centre
One of the most recognisable pieces of new architecture in the area, the Laban contemporary dance centre sits on the edge of Deptford Creek. The polychromatic polycarbonate building was the work of Swiss architects Herzog + de Meuron, who also designed Tate Modern. The building won the prestigious Stirling Prize for architecture in 2003.
Laban, Creekside, London SE8, Tel: 020 8691 8600, www.laban.org
National Maritime Museum
Extensively refurbished in 1999 by Rick Mather Architects (www.rickmather.com), the new National Maritime Museum presents a suitably epic exhibition space for the display of the wonders of the ocean, navigation and exploration. The refurbishment greatly increased the amount of exhibition space available to the museum, thanks largely to the glassing over of the internal courtyard to create the Neptune Court.
www.rmg.co.uk
Peter Harrison Planetarium, Royal Observatory
The Peter Harrison Planetarium is the final part in a long-running project to restore and reorganise the Royal Observatory. Designed by the London firm of Allies and Morrison, the new planetarium is largely set underground, its presence signified by a towering bronze-clad cone, reminiscent of some esoteric piece of astronomical equipment. www.rog.rmg.co.uk
Stephen Lawrence Centre
This community centre for youth training and education has been designed by Adjaye Associates (www.adjaye.com), with a glass installation by the Turner Prize-winning architect Chris Ofili. The metal mesh façade swathes a building with a complex plan, making the most of a compact site on the edge of Brookmill Park.
Stephen Lawrence Centre, 39 Brookmill Road, SE8 4HU, Tel: 020 8100 2800, www.stephenlawrence.org.uk
Cutty Sark
The ongoing restoration of the 19th-century Cutty Sark tea clipper faced a huge setback after May's devastating fire. Nonetheless, work is continuing on the project to restore the ship and create a new 'glass bubble' enclosure, designed by Grimshaw Architects in association with Youmeheshe, raising the ship up and allowing people beneath the ancient timbers of the hull.
www.cuttysark.org.uk
02 Arena
The Millennium Dome was a remarkable structure that served its function admirably during the Millennium Exhibition of 2000. Now converted to the 02 Arena leisure complex, it is gradually being joined by new structures that will ultimately complete the master plan for the Greenwich Peninsula.
www.theo2.co.uk
Jubilee Line Extension
Much praised for its architectural integrity on its completion in 2000, despite cost and time overruns, the six new stations of the Jubilee Line Extension feature some of the most radical transportation architecture in the capital. Of particular note is Will Alsop's monumentally scaled North Greenwich station, finished in rich blue tiles.
www.tfl.gov.uk
Ravensbourne College, Greenwich Peninsula
The mathematically complex façade of the new building at Ravensbourne College of Design & Communication is due to start construction in 2008. The building, designed by the award-winning firm of Foreign Office Architects, will be a new home for the Kent-based college, standing adjacent to the 02 Arena.
Millennium Village
The late Swedish architect Ralph Erskine master planned the Greenwich Millennium Village, a high density, highly sustainable community of houses and apartments on a 72-acre site next to the Thames.
www.greenwich-village.co.uk
Jonathan Bell, December 2007