VISION Issue 40 | Page 28

VISION 40 — PLAYHOUSE Paul Katz of Katz Architecture discusses a dynamic glass façade and building bristling with flexibility: What are the main reasons behind such a bespoke façade? PAUL KATZ   By saving on the two solid façades on boundaries we had the opportunity to really take full advantage of the remaining façade and so we used a very good material. It gave a great, strong presence. This building has an articulated façade that floats above the ground, has a sense of fun with the colour, stripes and animation. VISION   What other aspects of the development resonate with the occupants and passersby? It’s meant to be a playful façade. The first tenant is pre-school centre and while primarily an office building, it can contain other social functions used by the estate. We wanted to provide a playful nature to the building, something a bit different to a normal commercial building. Its articulated façade floats above the ground and has a sense of fun with the colour and the undulations... The way the glass façade is detached from the core masonry elements, means that it floats and gives a very articulated result.