Great Ormond Street Hospital wanted to create a ‘conservatory type building’ for eating and drinking that offered visitors a tranquil escape, so Spacelab transformed an unused and unloved roof area into a striking, sculptural pavilion in timber and glass, far removed from the usual hospital canteen experience.
Finger-like sections of the zinc-clad roof wrap around the space, and sections of glass between them create a dynamic play of light and shadow inside. It won a RIBA Award in 2005, and in the same year was shortlisted for the prestigious Stephen Lawrence Award, and mid-listed for Britain’s top architectural accolade, the Stirling Prize.