Sense of controlled drama tempered by calm white surfaces
North East RIBA Regional Award 2019
FaulknerBrowns Architects for Foundation of Light
Contract value: £18m
GIA: 11,222m²
Cost per m²: £1,604
The Beacon of Light is a vertically stacked activity hub. A ‘Football Barn’ sits under a lightweight umbrella structure on the roof. Below are shared community
and education facilities and an insulated box housing a sports hall. The interior is arranged around a triple-height street running through to the river facade. The sense of controlled drama and spatial interpenetration in the atrium is tempered by the calm white rendering of its surfaces. The concept and the confidence, economy and delight of the solution developed by the design team is admirable.