In 2006 Walters & Cohen won a RIBA-run competition to design a new cafe for the Hampstead Heath Lido in north London. Our practice is based nearby so we were delighted to have the opportunity to improve local facilities and work with our community.
Subsequently we were appointed to develop a masterplan with landscape architects Land Use Consultants. Our starting point was an audit of all buildings on the ancient heathland to ensure that existing facilities were used to their full potential before new buildings were considered; this clarified the need for future works. The client developed a regeneration strategy and the scheme was granted funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) early in 2008.
In 2010 we were asked to undertake several small projects on the Heath, including refurbishment of an old greenhouse into an education space for the RSPB. The pop-up project known as the ‘glassroom classroom’ was supported by the HLF and completed in 2013. We were also asked to look at new lifeguard and changing facilities at the ponds; our designs for the ladies’ pond were used by the Heath to create a new lifeguard station and spacious changing rooms.
