Laban Centre in London
The Laban Centre is one of the largest institutions for modern dance in Europe. Named after Rudolf Laban, the famous choreographer and pioneer of dance, it is situated among warehouses and workshops on a tributary of the Thames in Deptford, south-east London. The large volume of the building is well integrated into its surroundings, although the somewhat unreal, floating quality lent by the shimmering facades distinguishes the centre from the neighbouring developments. The structure is enclosed in a double-skin facade with a 60 cm ventilated cavity between the two layers. The outer skin, which provides thermal insulation and acts as a visual screen, consists of polycarbonate sheeting – either transparent or in different colour tones. The coloured coating was applied to the rear face of the inner layer of sheeting, which lends this skin a pastel-like, three-dimensional effect. The inner skin consists largely of translucent double glazing. Movement and communication, two central aspects of the dance centre, are also themes of the architecture. The concave, curved entrance facade seems to embrace the external space in a sweeping gesture. Internally, too, the building suggests a state of movement. Ramps and circulation routes lead between the complex layout of rooms and broaden into open spaces. Light wells allow daylight to penetrate into the deep volume of the building and establish visual links through the centre. The transparent and translucent walls have more of an articulating than a separating function. Within this open “cityscape”, the colours form a visual aid to orientation. Walls and inbuilt fittings in the corridors are coloured bright turquoise, green and magenta.
