The Grade II Listed Fellowship Inn, Bellingham – South London, was a semi derelict pub that has recently been repurposed as a new cultural centre for the local community and beyond.
Constructed in 1923 by architect F.G. Newnham, The Fellowship Inn was the first ever pub on a London housing estate. The Inn formed part of this ‘Homes for Heroes’ development, providing an outlet for soldiers and their families for clubs and social activities. It went on to become a training base for Sir Henry Cooper prior to his fight against Mohammad Ali in 1963 and provided a stage for Eric Clapton and Fleetwood Mac.
Following an extensive refurbishment programme, the space relaunched in June 2019 as the ‘Fellowship and Star’, providing a cinema, theatre, pub and is also home to the local charity ‘Lewisham Music’. It has provided a range of social and community benefits, through its facilities; as well as creating opportunities for local residents through apprenticeships, work placements, job opportunities and the cultural experiences it delivers.
Given the vital repairs and conservation works the site was to undergo, it was necessary to improve the acoustic efficiency of the original crittal single glazed windows which could not be removed due to conservation restrictions.
Architect Thomas Ford and main contractor Ash Constructing contacted Selectaglaze, as an essential element of the works was to ensure a reduction of noise ingress and breakout from the building. High level insulation was required to create an undisturbed optimal movie experience for film goers and to ensure student’s concentration levels during music lessons in Lewisham Music’s upper floors were not compromised by the busy thoroughfare on Randlesdown Road.
Selectaglaze installed a total of 32 units across all four floors of the Inn. The majority of the openings were fitted with Series 15 horizontal sliders, which is a mid-range horizontal sliding system with more robust but still slender framing sections allowing discreet treatments of larger windows. It can support thicker glass when higher levels of noise insulation are needed.
The original curved windows in the cinema were treated sympathetically, utilising Selectaglaze’s Series 15 units, combined with Series 40 curved fixed light units. The Series 40 fixed light lends itself well to shaping and curving, so these were formed to create the top portion of the windows and then transom coupled to the Series 15, which created access to the primary windows for ventilation and maintenance.
Near to an external staircase serving as a fire escape, Series 40 fixed lights offering 30 mins fire integrity were installed to protect the route in the case of an emergency. The inclusion of secondary glazing to support the successful renovation of this Bellingham landmark will ensure it becomes a thriving and acoustically efficient community hub with a multitude of uses for years to come.
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