Crystal Palace Concert Platform
South London Park Building design by Ian Ritchie Architects, England, UK
Location: south London
Dates built: 1996-97
Design: Ian Ritchie Architects
South London Music Venue photos from Ian Ritchie Architects 2007
6 Feb 2010
Crystal Palace Concert Platform
In March 1996, Ian Ritchie Architects won the competition for the design of a permanent concert platform in Crystal Palace Park, London.
The concept for the Crystal Palace Concert Platform was developed from an understanding and recognition of the primary importance of the Paxton landscape within which the concert platform would be located. Ian Ritchie Architects considered that the setting was rich and complex, and that a simple structure was more appropriate, not as a contrast, but as a minimal intervention. Nevertheless, its simplicity belies the complex performance required of it, and also avoids its appearance being seen as a conventional building.
The design embodies four principles:
– Natural colour as a statement of defining modernity’s relationship to landscape
– Gravitas as a statement of permanence expressed through the perceived mass of the material
– Levitas as a statement of the way we can build sensitively in and with landscape, and is expressed by a composition in equilibrium touching the ground along a fine line
– Simplicity expressed through a single material – self-weathering steel – colour and a continuous surface.
The concert platform is practical, robust, resistant to vandalism, economic and requires very low maintenance. It is placed in a slightly enlarged lake. Its outer surface is made entirely of deep red oxidiesed Corten A steel and an oak stage, and internally with silver aluzinc panels and a blue floor.
The first concert performance took place in August 1997.
Crystal Palace Concert Platform design : Ian Ritchie Architects, a respected contemporary architectural office based in East London.
Location: Crystal Palace, London, England, UK.
Crystal Palace Architecture
Contemporary Crystal Palace Architectural Designs – selection from e-architect:
Crystal Palace Park Regeneration
Architects: HTA Design
photo : Kilian O’Sullivan
Crystal Palace National Sports Centre South London
Design: WOO architects and FaulknerBrowns
image : FaulknerBrowns / Pillar Visuals
Crystal Palace Park Cafe in London
Design: Chris Dyson Architects LLP
photo © David Churchill
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London Buildings
Contemporary London Architecture
London Architecture Designs – chronological list
London Architecture Walking Tours by e-architect
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South London Buildings
South London Building Designs
South London Architecture – selection below:
Churchwood Gardens, Forest Hill, South London
Design: Bryden Wood
image Courtesy architecture office
Design: PRP Architects
image courtesy of architecture office
Almshouses in Lewisham Homes
Comments / photos for the Crystal Palace Architecture – Concert Platform Structure design by Ian Ritchie Architects page welcome
