Kensington Memorial Park to get new pavilion and refurbished facilities
Simone de Gale Architects’ plans to redevelop Kensington Memorial Gardens in Ladbroke Grove, north London, have been given the green light.
The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea approved the £1m scheme earlier this month following months of engagement with the local community.
It will see the construction of a new pavilion housing a food and drink kiosk and public toilets, and the refurbishment of two further existing buildings including one dating to the 1920s.
Simone de Gale’s practice, which is based in the borough, was appointed as lead architect on the job in June last year with a brief to “retain, reinvigorate and connect” the small park, which is named for a memorial to soldiers who fought in the First World War.
Opened in 1923 on land bought with funds provided by the Kensington War Memorial Committee, the park was created as a tribute to those who had lost their lives in the war.
In 2016, Prince William commemorated it as a Centenary Field in honour of the soldiers who had died during the conflict. Aside from the memorial, it also contains a children’s playground and sports pitches.
De Gale said: “We applied our design principles to this project, by creating an elegant pattern through a symmetrical masterplan centred on the community hub area. We have opened this area for more engagement activity and different user type. I am heartened by the support of the community throughout our decision-making process”.
Councillor and the borough’s lead member for leisure Emma Will said: “The co-design work with residents on the improvements to the park have been a great example of community engagement and I am sure residents and visitors will be delighted with the improvements when completed.”
The scheme received a £204,000 grant from the council’s Green Fund, which will be used to improve energy efficiency.
Energy will be provided by an air source heat pump, solar panels and a green roof to attract bees, while solar glass will be used in the new pavilion to reduce heat loss.
A contractor is expected to be appointed within the next month and construction is set to be complete by next summer.
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