We’re absolutely delighted that the Lexi Cinema extension and refurbishment has received two awards, the People’s Choice as well as the Heritage & Culture, at the first Brent Design Awards last Thursday.
Huge thanks also to our amazing client, the Lexi Cinema team, the Contractor CBC Design & Build, all consultants involved and Brent Council for organising what was a truly impressive awards evening. Many congrats to John Stiles, Natasha Reid FRSA, Alice Lester MBE and Ciara Whelehan for pulling this off – a fantastic achievement.
Inspiring and humbling speeches by Councillor Shama Tatler, Councillor Muhammed Butt and Councillor Krupesh Hirani.
The Lexi Cinema: the first cinema screen in the UK to use MVHR and Air to Air Source Heat Pump to control the internal climate of one of its screening rooms. 💨 ♻️
It is London’s only social enterprise cinema, located in Kensal Rise. A treasured asset within the local community, The Lexi Cinema tasked us with revitalising a 99 sqm parcel of vacant land in the rear car park of the existing Edwardian gabled brick theatre.
Following a successful two-year fundraising campaign including grants from the Brent Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy, a contribution of £50,000 from Sadiq Khan’s community fund, and local donations, RISE Design Studio submitted a planning application backed by 1,210 local signatories, and construction began in July 2020. 🎬👷🏾♀️
Situated in a residential neighbourhood 🏘, The Lexi Hub’s design needed to be approached with sensitivity, taking into account the houses neighbouring the site. This was not just an architectural task but a community endeavour; we envisioned an extension that mirrored the genuine care and regard for the community that local patrons have consistently shown towards The Lexi. 👨👩👦 👩🏽🎓👩🏼🍳 In order to minimise the new Lexi Hub’s visual bulk, we proposed a sunken extension, excavating 1.5 metres down. This ensures that the extension rises only 2 metres above the adjacent garden wall, whilst also allowing level access from the car park. This design strategy hides a foundation of reinforced concrete, including services, and robust acoustic and thermal insulation.
Key to the Client Brief were the Sustainable Strategies, which included Air-Air Source Heat Pump, Super-insulated walls and roof, Airtightness, Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery, and Wildflower Sedum Green Roof.