The building will become the new home of the charity Caspian Cultural Center and Iranian Research Library, and will house a collection of more than 50,000 books and manuscripts about and about Persian culture.
876m²Culture Center The funding will come from 105 new student rooms in a mix of studios and apartments above the centre.
This includes the demolition and rebuilding of the charity's existing two-storey premises on the Woodlands Park site in Acton, which the charity has occupied for more than 30 years.
Ealing Council's planning committee approved the project on Wednesday (January 24) following recommendations from planners.
Officers said the existing building was no longer fit for purpose due to deteriorating building fabrics, heating, electrical and plumbing systems, dampness and an inflexible and inaccessible layout.
The permit includes an expensive S106 agreement with 15 clauses, including a carbon offset contribution of £117,990, a low carbon energy monitoring contribution of £7,916, and an air quality monitoring contribution of £48,392. applies. Additionally, it contributes to the provision of local employment, healthcare, and general amenities.
Source: GRID Architects
Grid Architects’ new Caspian Sea Cultural Center and Iranian Studies Library in Acton, west London
The ground floor of the cultural center will include a cafe with a parkside terrace and a double-height atrium with community and library space that can be used for events.
The first floor will consist of more library space, seminar rooms, shared and private study and reading areas, and the book archive will be housed in the basement.
According to the architects, a key part of GRID's brief was to “maximize the visual accessibility” of the new facility and “create a welcoming community building.”
GRID said that during the pre-application process, planners encouraged the company to develop “architecture that demonstrates the building's community function, with reference to the charity's unique purpose and heritage.”
Source: GRID Architects
Grid Architects’ new Caspian Sea Cultural Center and Iranian Studies Library in Acton, west London
The building's staggered façade features overlapping pointed arches, as a “subtle nod to Gothic arches and a playful fusion of Persian style and the neo-Gothic influences that dominate the local area”, and the material The palette's “subtle Persian influence” includes green ceramic tiles. Colored concrete and custom metalwork.
GRID originally submitted a planning application for the cultural center in 2021, but has since added a second staircase to the interior, citing the building's “future-proof design” despite being less than 30 meters high. Reduced office floor space.
Grid Architects director Lawrence Osborne said the firm's design would help “raise the profile of the charitable trust and secure the future of its historically and culturally valuable collection”.
He praised his client for having a “vision to develop a tangible and attractive building that will significantly benefit the community, including local businesses and students.”
project data
architect grid architects
client corolla group
position London Borough of Ealing
use Library and student dormitory
GIA 876m² (Culture Center/Cafe)307m2 Auxiliary room, student room 105
Start on site (planned) Q1 2024
construction cost to be decided
Project manager Equal consulting
weigher Equal consulting
structural engineer WSP
service engineer WSP
Firefighter WSP
environmental consultant Consult with Green Build
acoustic consultant WSP
planning consultant National Tax Agency planning
heritage consultant Not applicable
Arbo Cultural House crown tree consulting
landscape architect grid landscape
transportation consultant WSP