28 FULHAM B'WAY METHS 4pp - The Methodist Church of Great ...

• projectTWO CENTURIES OF WORSHIPnew methodist church at fulham broadwayWords: Derek Price, of PMP ArchitectsPictures: Raf MakdaFront elevationCB•28ClientFulham Methodist Church for many yearshas been an established part of the localcommunity. The Methodist community hasworshipped on the Fulham Road site fornearly 200 years.In 1971, a new building was constructedwhich expanded the facilities and providedfor a small theatre and coffee shop togetherwith a hall and a church. This buildingbecame the home for the local Methodistcommunity, the Korean Oori Church andthe “Lost Theatre”.In late 1998, the developers of the proposednew shopping centre, who wished toacquire the existing site to allow access tothe new development, approached theTrustees of the church. In return they proposedto provide a new building but on asmaller footprint.The trustees decided to appoint PMPArchitects to review the developers’ proposal.The review highlighted that the designwas created to blend in with the proposednew shopping centre and did not significantlydifferentiate the church from the immediateenvironment. Both PMP and theTrustees felt that it was imperative that anynew church would reflect traditionalMethodist values. Most importantly anydesign should reflect and promote “inclusiveness”,welcoming, embracing and opento all.As a result, PMP were asked to preparea design for a new church which would satisfyexisting and immediate requirements yetreflect the fact that this building would openat the beginning of the new millennium. Ithad to, therefore be a beacon, a centre forworshipers and for passers-by to enter. Thecongregation felt strongly that the newdesign should be “inclusive” and welcomingto “all”.The completed building had to be highlyflexible in use in order to accommodate avariety of religious, pastorals and communityuses. There was a further requirementthat the scheme had to be submitted forplanning permission within a six-week timeframe to ensure that the planners could dealwith the “comprehensive” design of theshopping centre.After a number of proposals, the membersof the church agreed unanimously to

A general view of the Fulham Road/BroadwayStained glass window panelFront elevation as dusk settlesadopt the design, which to a large extent isnow completed. Whilst it was necessary toadapt the original proposals to save costs,the inherent spirit of what the Trusteeshoped could be achieved has been delivered.The unique glass front wall allows passersbyto view the open vista of the church andthe communion area. At night, especially, allare agreed that the building truly is a beaconfrom which to preach God’s message.The inclusion of three flats and the basementhall have ensured that the site remainsa multi use facility. Whilst with the counciland developers help, The Lost Theatre hasmoved elsewhere. We are confident thatthe building will remain a key focus for thelocal community and provide a home forour congregation throughout the new millennium.This is reflected by Revd MichaelSawyer, “This new church, with the stillnessand openess to the community, will play animportant role in the Hammersmith andFulham Circuit as a place of hospitality,prayer and mission in a busy world.”Architect’s accountAs a predominantly commercial practicespecialising in retail and office developments,the opportunity to design a new churchfacility was seized with relish by the wholeoffice. It was however our understanding ofthe commercial world which led us to questionthe basis of the developers offer.After a considerable period of negotiations,the Trustees decided to reject an offerbased upon rebuilding the church at thedeveloper’s cost and instead accepted astraightforward settlement for the existingsite and agreed new freehold for a newbuilding.• Continued on page 30CB•29

• From page 29As these negotiations inevitably took timeto reach an agreement acceptable to bothsides, the overall shopping centre developmentprogramme had slipped. The need toachieve an agreed design, which was acceptableto the client, the planners and theABOVE: View fromaltar towards congregationseating andentranceFAR RIGHT: Viewtowards altar areaadjoining owners, became crucial.The final design chosen aimed to re-definethe established design philosophy of achurch. Historically the traditional churchencloses and embraces the congregation.Despite often massive decorated windows,little is ever seen from the outside of theinside.The new site was extremely tight withonly enough space to accommodate thecompleted building and the required carparking spaces. The building was overshadowedon two sides by the new shoppingcentre, and along the front the Fulham Road,formed a formidable boundary. The new serviceand public car park access road definethe eastern line.The proposed design was to present aglazed wall to the main road, which whilstforming an environmental seal, allowed theoutside to flow and merge with the entranceand the worship space. The planar glass wallwas framed by a stand-alone timber portico,which carried a bronze cross directly abovethe entrance doors.Internally the building has been designedto achieve an open feeling and a waveformed ceiling leads the eye to a simplemaple communion area above which hangsthe cross. In order to allow natural light topenetrate deep into the building, the spaceabove the communion area rises up threestories with a glass roof over which willflood the area with natural light.To achieve the ultimate flexibility, themulti-purpose hall was located in the basementbelow the worship area and accessiblefrom the main entrance or externallythrough separate doors.Above the nave, three two-bedroom flatshave been completed. All with generousGround floor planCB•30

external balconies and all having extensiveviews over London from the main rooms.Our time working on this project hasbeen architecturally challenging andextremely stimulating. Our office has benefitedgreatly in studying and meeting thechallenges in placing a new multi-purposechurch alongside a bustling new 21st centuryshopping centre. We believe that thecompleted building sits in harmony with itsneighbour.The building does reach out fromits small site and gives everyone the opportunityto enter by crossing a threshold thatis only 15mm wide and experience all thetraditional Christian values. As all can seewhat is physically inside, the transition fromoutside to within, may now be less traumatic.•PROJECT TEAMArchitects: PMP Architects LtdQuantity surveyor: Christopher SmithAssociatesStructural engineer: Furness PartnershipM&E Consultant: MCP ConsultingMain contractor: Allenbuild SE LtdShortsectionLongsection032072376