RELIGIOUS ARCHITECTURE/NEW FACILITIES
Award
Westbourne Park Baptist Church
London, England
Architect
Allies and Morrison
London, England
The Westbourne Park Baptist Church project integrates religious, community, and residential uses on a compact mixed-use site within a densely populated urban setting in west London. The main building brings together the Westbourne Park Baptist Church, a congregation of approximately 150 people from over 30 different nationalities, growing in number and community involvement. The congregation also hosts three ethnic churches (Filipino, Brazilian/Portuguese, and Eritrean), and it is home to a Montessori nursery and family center. Westbourne Park Baptist Church also has a new hybrid building with 32 high-quality, affordable apartments that provide funding for the new church, family center, children’s library, and community hall. This innovative and solution-based approach to redevelopment offers a model for other churches seeking to secure the future of small but thriving multicultural church communities. The building’s exterior reflects its multi-use character while also addressing its sensitive heritage and residential context.
Jury Comments
Westbourne Park Baptist Church is a laudable model for future projects that use housing and community spaces to support the work of the religious organization. The delicate blending of sacred and secular architecture reflects the neighborhood’s diverse needs.
