Situated at the gateway to Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Stratford, this new timber-framed pavilion is set to become a new landmark and meeting place for east London. The mixed-use neighbourhood that surrounds is increasingly becoming home to a cluster of world-leading universities, arts and cultural intuitions alongside an array of commercial, technology, manufacturing, and retail businesses.
Designed by ACME architects, the pavilion is conceived as a ‘vertical piazza.’ The stepped levels on all sides take the form of stairs, balconies, and amphitheatres that encourage exploration and provide a range of spaces for sitting and looking outward. Amenities include a visitor’s centre for the Park, as well as Haugen – a delicatessen and brasserie inspired by Alpine dining and with interiors by creative studio Afroditi.
ositioned on top of a DLR tunnel with limited weight and foundation allowances, the use of timber means the pavilion is extremely lightweight. As such, only shallow concrete foundations were necessary for the three-level structure. Alongside this, parametrically controlled timber fins have been situated on the underside of projecting slabs to create a continuous soffit that guides visitors to the roof where native wildflower planting and green terraced spaces enhance the site’s biodiversity.
Overall, the Pavilion has achieved an ‘Outstanding’ BREEAM score of 92%, placing it in the top 1% of all newly constructed commercial buildings in London and in line with commitments to United Nation’s Mission Zero initiative, working towards being net-zero carbon by 2025 and absolute zero by 2040.
