Maki and Associates has submitted plans for their first UK building. As the Architects' Journal reports, the Japanese firm has designed a nine story, 8,780-square-meter educational space for the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) - a group of non-denominational agencies focused on improving the welfare of people in developing areas in Africa, Asia and the Middle East.
The predominately limestone building pulls cues from its context; its facade is derived from the space within, which in turn responds to the surrounding Kings Cross site.
"This is an elegantly detailed high quality proposal with strong sculptural expression derived from program and contextual analysis," said the Camden Council planners in a report. "The generous terraces placed at strategic locations visually connect the surroundings through to the internal atrium."
If approved, the new building will provide administrative space for the Institute of Ismaili Studies and the Institute for the Study of Muslim Civilizations, as well as a library, classrooms, ground floor retail and restaurant space. It also hopes to achieve BREEAM Excellent rating.
News via AJ
