Doesn’t this building look inviting? The Kingston Quaker Centre stands as a testament to modern religious architecture. It embodies a fresh interpretation of Quaker principles within a modern context. This building earned joint first prize for the RIBA ACE Best Religious Architecture in 2015.
The Religious Society of Friends, also known as Quakers, originated in 17th-century England. They believe each individual can have a direct relationship with God. Therefore there is no need for priests or traditional churches. Quakers often worship in simple meeting houses.
Let’s step inside the Kingston Quaker Centre. The heart of the design is the square-shaped Meeting Room. It accommodates the centrally focused Quaker Meeting for Worship in the round. The Meeting Room is visually interconnected with the garden. This aligns with the preferences of the Friends. Facing the park this space epitomises a harmonious blend of spirituality and natural surroundings.
The Meeting Room and the adjacent Hall are seamlessly linked by a covered portico. It serves as sun shading and weather protection. It also acts as a grand architectural framing feature, contributing to the park’s visual landscape.
The main entrance unfolds into a lofty central gallery space. This functions as a communal hub that facilitates access to all areas of the building. This space encourages social interaction. It also serves as a dynamic backdrop for various community activities. To the right are smaller meeting rooms and cloakrooms. These are strategically positioned, fostering a sense of intimacy within the larger framework.
A central landscaped courtyard is open to the sky. It infuses the interior spaces with natural light and ventilation. It also provides a serene focal point. The carefully chosen building materials contribute to the contemporary aesthetic. High-quality external facing bricks are used. Sharply defined galvanised and welded steel columns add to its appeal. You will also see precast reconstituted stone colonnade roof panels. Pigmented zinc cladding is used for the high-level roof elements. These ensure durability and functionality.
Internally, the use of oak for doors and joinery is striking. This is paired with white-painted walls. It maximises daylight efficiency. It also creates a tranquil and cohesive interior environment.
The Kingston Quaker Centre replaced the former Kingston Quaker Centre on Eden Street. The new building was designed to meet the BREEAM Very Good standard for sustainability. It embodies many design features which reduce energy consumption. It uses air source heat pumps that keep it comfortably warm year round.
The second half of the seventeenth century saw Quaker ideas spread across the land. James Naylor wrote to George Fox in 1654 saying that there were constant meetings set up in Kingston. Fox wrote in his journal in 1656 that he passed to Kingston-upon-Thames. He added that a few people came to them.
Quakers in Kingston initially met in the house of John Fielder. They also met in the open air. In 1663 land on London Road was acquired for burials. In 1673-4 the first purpose-built Meeting House was constructed. It was located at the corner of Heathen Street and Back Lane.
When the lease expired on their first building, Quakers needed alternative premises. Between 1768 and 1773 a new Meeting House was erected in Heathen Street. In 1806 additional land was acquired for a graveyard at the rear.
Kingston Quaker Centre opened in 2014. It seeks to embody Quaker principles of simplicity and sustainability. It also offers flexible facilities to the wider community.
Kingston Quaker Centre exemplifies a thoughtful marriage of contemporary design principles and religious functionality. Charles Browne-Cole was the project architect at Tectus. Today Kingston Quaker Centre has a part time warden manager on site on working days. Meetings for worship are held here and online using Zoom. The Sunday worship starts at 10:30.
Kingston Quakers follow the guidance of Quaker Faith and Practice. They try to live by the testimonies of peace, equality, simplicity, sustainability and truth. Quakers in Kingston are a founder member of Kingston Community Refugee Sponsorship. In 2011 Quakers in Britain made a commitment to live more sustainably.
As you leave remember the Quaker values of peace and simplicity. The Kingston Quaker Centre stands as a beacon of these principles in our modern world.