The development proposals: architecture and design
Overview and consultation
The congregation of St Andew's Fulham Fields have huge affection for their church building, and are only considering a development project because it is essential to secure the future of the church and enable the vibrant range of community activities to grow and flourish.
The proposed development will return the church to its original 1873 dimensions by removing the 1890s extension. It will replace the unsympathetic 1970s internal additions: once again the church will respond to the changing needs of its local community. It will provide three large community areas, a cafe, toilets and office space. A small residential site at the West end of the church is essential to finance these new facilities, and secure the community activities. The plans have taken care to be environmentally sustainable, through reuse of materials, energy efficient design, and a small cycle park.
The current vibrancy of activities is particularly exciting, given that demolition or closure of the church was a possibility just a few years ago. We have been working on this project for two years, particularly through our Development Committee, which reports to the church's main committee (the democratically-elected PCC). A public consultation in summer 2008 showed strong local support for the project. The consultation was attended by local amenity groups The Fulham Society, The Hammersmith and Fulham Buildings Group and representative of the Victorian Society, none of whom opposed the project.
New facilities, community spaces and internal improvements
In removing the extended west end, the development will enable us to replace the deeply unsympathetic internal dividing wall of 1972-3, and the two halls with their concrete pillars and floors. Instead there will be a much lighter ground floor meeting space, kitchen and coffee area; this flexible area can be separated off from the nave by sliding screens. Two halls on upper floors will be for church and community use, and have a lift for disabled access. There are currently no disabled toilets, and no toilets available during the week: the development provides these, and baby changing facilities. New office facilities would be included. The boiler room will be relocated out of the lych gate on the north side, enabling this gate to be rebuilt, providing completely separate entrances into the body of the church and into the community spaces.
Striking internal features of the church, namely the reredos by Aston Webb at the east end, would be unaffected by the development. However, such features as this should benefit in the long term as it is uncertain that the parish could maintain and repair them without the contribution from the residential site. Possible restoration and improvement work (dependent on monies arising from the residential site) includes stained glass, new seating, the organ, improved heating and lighting, and cleaning of brickwork.
The residential site
The architecture of the residential site has been carefully selected to be traditional and in keeping with both with the church and adjacent buildings, and have visual links to them. Several types of accommodation were considered. The proposed mix of apartments was chosen on the advice of surveyors and local estate agents, as being both representative of the area and a basis for financing the community facilities.
The residential site design has altered significantly in response to local consultation and discussions with the council. Changes include reducing the entire residential scheme by one floor, and setting back the top floor on both the St Andrew's Road and Greyhound Road sides. This cuts the number of apartments and improves the view of the church tower. Generally the height of the apartments is kept well below the ridge height of the church; this also relates to the height of the St Andrew's Mansions along the road to the east. New design cues have been taken from the church and relate to nearby properties, such as including bands or dentil courses in stone, and a stone parapet at the upper level.
The shape and size of windows have been chosen to relate to nearby residential properties, and bay windows will improve the aesthetic to the south. The west facade avoids windows that would overlook adjoining properties, but recessed brickwork will reflect the church tower design and provide visual relief. Balconies provide amenity space (up to a height that relates to the eaves of adjacent properties).
These changes to the aesthetics and to the height and bulk of the proposed design, have meant that there will be reduced visual impact, and the development is in keeping with the church and its neighbourhood.