Part of a wider revamp of Beresford Square Market in Woolwich, south-east London, the pavilion aims to support the market’s functions with new public toilets, a locally owned and run café and new utilities for the market and adjacent fountains.
Its form defines a clear edge to the marketplace helping to stitch the public space back together following the effects of a dual carriageway built in the 1980s. In collaboration with Tom Massey Studio, Studio Weave has also designed a landscaped garden with gentle mounds offering a green buffer to the busy road.
Externally, the red brick building features stepped arches and two chimneys for natural ventilation with a roofscape that both frames and echoes the turret of Arsenal Gate House as well as the towers and bartizans of nearby Old Arsenal and Square.
The deep stepped return arches both create depth in the wall, offering weather protection while referencing the Arsenal’s historic forms. A base plinth of hardwearing blocks grounds the square-plan pavilion.
Its four elevations aim to respond to four conditions: a large arch signals the location of the toilets across the dual carriageway; two glazed porous smaller arches open out to the market; and the café entrance with drinking fountain faces the gardens.
Internally, the base of the walls is finished with polished red brickwork, while window and door frames are of solid oak.
The surrounding landscape has been generously planted, and natural stone has been used for main routes, with self-binding gravel and stepping stones for playful, informal shortcuts through the space.
The scheme for the Royal Borough of Greenwich was funded by the government’s Levelling Up Fund.
Beresford Square in Woolwich, named after General William Beresford, was formed in the early 19th century and its history is tied to the Royal Arsenal. It was pedestrianised in 1984.
Adjacent to Studio Weave’s market pavilion and gardens is new public realm designed by LDA and a refurbished historic gatehouse by Gort Scott.
The market pavilion is one of a series of recently completed public projects by Studio Weave, including a structural stone public toilets at Maida Vale and a parks office in Finsbury Circus.
The practice is currently leading on a visitor welcome pavilion and landscaping as part of an upgrade to the north and south entrances of the British Museum, working with Wright & Wright Architects, Webb Yates, Tom Massey Studio and Daisy Froud. Designs were submitted to Camden Council at the end of last year.
All these recent and upcoming projects include drinking fountains, storage spaces, street furniture, public art, public greening and public toilets.
Architect’s view
It has been a privilege to work on this building and landscape, which will hopefully be well used by the public. The architecture has to work hard. It provides an important social gathering space in the café, a backdrop for the life of the market, while offering dignity for the public who use the space. Public toilets are a public good! Ultimately, without accessible public toilets, we are excluding many people from places like Beresford Square. These designs will transform Beresford Square into a haven for people and wildlife right in the middle of Woolwich for many decades.
As a practice, we share the Royal Borough of Greenwich’s ambition to make better public spaces for all citizens to use. Beresford Square is a social and commercial centre that has been rejuvenated. It was a great privilege to work on the redesign of this historic public space. We know that having a beautiful public place to eat your lunch is an incalculable luxury that all Londoners deserve.
In a post-pandemic working environment, we know that outdoor space is more important than ever. The Market Pavilion and Gardens dramatically improve the biodiversity for the 21st century, which at the same time respects the historic nature of the site.
Eddie Blake, co-director, Studio Weave
Project data
Location Woolwich, south-east London
Start on site January 2024
Completion date June 2025
Gross internal floor area Approximately 87m²
Gross (internal + external) floor area 1,325m²
Form of contract or procurement route Design and build
Construction cost Undisclosed
Client Royal Borough of Greenwich
Architect Studio Weave
Structural engineer Webb Yates Engineers
Building services engineer Webb Yates Engineers
Horticulturalist Tom Massey Studio
Main contractor Elite