Peckham’s famous multi-storey car park has a new addition; a new viewing gallery created by Cooke Fawcett. The young practice, based in London’s creative Clerkenwell, was formed just two years ago, by directors Oliver Cooke and Francis Fawcett, after working on the Tate’s Switch House at Stirling-prize winning practice Herzog & de Meuron.

This project, a spectacular kiosk and viewing gallery for arts space Bold Tendencies, will not only provide breathtaking views of London but also act as an interactive setting for installations and specially commissioned art pieces. This arts-focused structure joins (and benefits from) Peckham’s famous rooftop hangout, Frank’s Bar. Over the past decade, the Peckham multi-storey car park has been slowly transformed by Bold Tendancies, through a programme of culture. Immersive public space and unique views have drawn over a million visitors south of the river, to this unlikely home of the arts.  

Francis Fawcett: “For an avant garde cultural institution now in its 11th year, it is important that Bold Tendencies retains the capacity to reinvent and present new experiences to its loyal following as well as to new visitors.”

Hardwood timber and steel supports form this cantilevered raised platform, and the focus on tactile, honest materiality extends to handrails (which are positioned to create stopping points for viewing art) and planned custom-made benches and sun-loungers. Under the platform is a dark blue timber-framed box, which will act as an information space and shop, as well as the new hub of Bold Tendancies education programme, Bold Everywhere.

Local suppliers and contractors were used, with the project management being taken on by Bold Tendencies themselves, in order to cut costs. This is not the first construction endeavour for this team, with the previous Bold Tendancies-Cooke Fawecett project being Concert Wall, 2016, an acoustic plywood concertinaed backdrop for live music performances on a lower floor of the same carpark.

Oliver Cooke, director of Cooke Fawcett, said: “We’re so pleased to return to Bold Tendencies with another project that enhances the experience of the car park and the art contained within it."

The observatory is open now and is set to become a firm favourite for evening arts throughout the summer.