I s s u e 4
Dispatches from Television Centre
Design Sneak preview: First look at the new Television Centre
Heritage Round and around we go: A brief history of circular buildings
Food Holy Kricket! Indian flavours meet British ingredients transmission 1 WELCOME WELCOME
Homecoming
Filming, acting, writing, revelry – Television Centre has had a multitude of functions, but i t ’ s n e v e r b e e n a p l a c e w h e r e p e o p l e l i v e d . B u t a l l o f t h a t i s n o w c h a n g i n g . T h e h o a r d i n g s are coming down, the moving vans are pulling i n a n d n e w r e s i d e n t s a r e e m e r g i n g . Te l e v i s i o n Centre is opening its doors once again. Television Centre To r i n g i t a l l i n , w e t a k e a b e h i n d t h e 89 Wood Lane London W12 7FA scenes preview of the regenerated Television 020 8811 8720 C e n t r e , j u s t a f e w w e e k s a h e a d o f i t s o f fi c i a l Live at Television Centre. televisioncentre.com reopening celebrations this spring. While Cover image: at it, we meet the neighbours at a thriving John Piper mosaic mural at Television Centre, by W h i t e C i t y P l a c e, tuck into British-Indian Guy Archard fusion at Kricket, a n d fl i p t h r o u g h a f e w of transmission is edited the many television programmes in production and produced by dn&co. dnco.com Du Yukai Illustration: a g a i n a t Te l e v i s i o n C e n t r e .
2 3 PREVIEW LOCALPREVIEW AREA
Behind the scenes: a p r e v i e w o f Television Centre
In these very first photos, the
Photography reimagined Television Centre Guy Archard shines like a new penny
4 5 PREVIEW PREVIEW
At almost sixty years old, Television Centre To furnish communal areas like the lobby, London looks good for its age. For the team of architects interior designer Suzy Hoodless was enlisted to and designers transforming the building from a imbue a contemporary sensibility while remaining television-making factory to a collection of homes – sympathetic to the past. As she puts it, it was it was important to keep it that way. important to celebrate the ’50s heritage, without Television Centre is a Grade II* listed building. being ‘slavishly driven by it.’ Its features of special historic interest are largely Sitting on the tables in both the lobby and the concentrated in the lobby, a space where just screening room is a first look at a bespoke china set about every British television personality in the by William Edwards, decorated in a pattern inspired last half of the 20th century has walked through by the Helios and John Piper mosaic. on their way to work. They would have been greeted The residents’ lounge, another design by Suzy by an imposing mosaic mural by the renowned Hoodless, is a retreat for residents, complete with British artist John Piper, now restored to its former plush sofas and well-stocked Vitsoe bookshelves. lustre. Ditto the original floors and timber cladding, It opens out onto the courtyard, where new all vestiges of the mid-century optimism that this landscaping will be planted in time for spring. The place was built to represent. iconic Helios statue stands in the middle of the The cantilevered staircase, pictured left with courtyard, restored and gleaming in gold, radiating its bold ‘5’ floor graphic, is another original feature a befitting sense of triumph. that would have rarely been seen by the public.
Clockwise from top left: The bookshelf in the residents’ lounge; an original floor number; soft furnishings in the lobby; the screening room.
Opposite page: William Edwards bespoke china for Television Centre.
Previous page: The new Helios signage and the welcoming front lobby.
6 7 PAUL INSTITUTE HERITAGE Image courtesy of Dhillon Shukla 1 1 Elusive R&B artists Jai Paul, A.K. Paul and Muz Azar announce the launch of the Paul Institute at White City Place 2 A n e w i n s t i t u t i o n
“Jai Paul, Pictured for the First Time in Years, in a new home,” says Azar. It’s a big moment, too, Real Estate Magazine” reads the headline in Noisey, for White City Place as the burgeoning creative Vice Media’s music-only spinoff. The cult musician campus comes into its own as a hub for tech, is wearing a high-vis jacket and a hard hat, pictured fashion, media and now music. 3 alongside his Ivor Novello-winning brother A.K. The announcement was quickly followed by Paul, long-term collaborator Muz Azar and two two new releases, both produced by the Paul suited representatives from Stanhope. brothers: one by Ruthven, a former firefighter from The surprise appearance comes with the Lewisham, and the other by Fabiana Palladino, a announcement of the Paul Institute, a growing songwriter who has collaborated with Mercury collective of musicians, artists and technologists. Prize winner Sampha and acclaimed singer/ Paul and his collaborators, who typically operate songwriter Jessie Ware. Both tracks shot to the deep beneath the radar, remain mum about what top two positions in Spotify’s viral chart. exactly they’ll do from the space, but we do know This isn’t how Jai Paul’s fans would have it will be home for their eponymous record label, expected to hear from him, six years after he whose ambition is to support and nurture up-and- released the influential tracks ‘BTSTU’ and coming British music talent. ‘Jasmine’, and subsequently disappeared from The Institute will move into the rotunda at public eye. But when it comes to this enigmatic Full circle White City Place, a space formerly occupied by R&B artist, fans have learned by now to expect the BBC’s discotheque. “West London is the place the unexpected. where it all started for us and we can’t think of a With more to come as they move into their To celebrate Television Centre’s iconic doughnut shape, more suitable place than the rotunda to call our new home, watch this space. Du Yukai Illustrations: we round up a brief history of circular buildings
8 9 HERITAGE HERITAGE
1 Television Centre 5 Marina City London, 1960 Chicago, 1968 After he was commissioned A building of musical and 4 to design Television Centre, architectural merits: Chicago’s architect Graham Dawbarn was Marina City was designed in exactly where you’d expect an 1959, completed in 1968 and architect to go when faced with immortalised in 2001 on the such an irregularly shaped plot cover of Wilco’s seminal album of land. He went to the pub. The Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. At the time legend goes that the circular of its completion, it was one of shape of Television Centre was the tallest structures built from 5 born that night, inspired by a reinforced concrete. question mark Dawbarn doodled on the back of an envelope. 6 Pantheon Rome, 113–125 AD 2 Amazon Spheres The Pantheon was initiated by Seattle, in construction Roman emperor Hadrian to be a These three bio-domes at the temple ‘for all gods.’ Almost two downtown Seattle headquarters thousand years later, it’s a line will house foliage from around the item high on any Roman tourist’s world, creating the tech giant’s itinerary. Indeed, it attracts nearly very own conservatory. A full-time 7 million visitors annually and last horticulturist isn’t the first job year it was announced the city posting one would expect from would start charging an entrance Amazon, but who else to tend for fee. (‘We just have to figure out the 300 plant species? where to put the ticket office,’ the Italian culture minister said.) 3 Hakka Walled Villages Various locations in China, 7 Jetavanaramaya Stupa 17th century onwards Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka, The Hakka are a nomadic 4th century AD Chinese people. When they Sri Lanka’s Jetavanaramaya moved to southern China in Stupa lies at the heart of the the 17th century, they needed ancient city of Anuradhapura architecture that could protect – once an important capital them from clashes with their new that was abandoned after it neighbours. These walled villages was invaded in 993 AD. After housed up to 800 people within centuries left to the jungle, it walls nearly 1m thick. They circle now has Unesco designation. around a communal courtyard, At 122m in height, the stupa is with separate spaces inside for one of the tallest structures in an armoury, living quarters, food the ancient world, made from 6 7 storage and worship. an estimated 93.3 million bricks baked from stone and clay. 4 Niterói Contemporary Art Museum Go see Television Centre’s Niterói, Brazil 1996 famous ‘doughtnut’ building This late-career work by Oscar and Helios statue from late Niemeyer features those very February. sumptuous curves the Brazilian modernist is known for. Like a UFO with a twisting red carpet, it sits in the cliffs across the water from Rio de Janeiro, overlooking Guanabara Bay.
10 11 KRICKET KRICKET
N e v e r a dhal moment
From humble beginnings at Pop Brixton, Kricket hops to it with its biggest location yet, opening this
summer at Television Centre This page: Photography by Sam Bush. Opposite page: Photography courtesy of Kricket
12 KRICKET KRICKET
A new wave of London restaurants has elevated South Asian fare from Sunday night takeaway to F i v e s p i c e s a chic Friday evening affair. Good luck getting a table at establishments like Gunpowder, Hoppers or Dishoom. It’s no easier to get a table at Kricket’s Kricket’s chef Soho location, where their own investor was turned away one particularly busy evening. Will Bowlby If you do get in – and mercifully, Kricket takes reservations – you can taste what makes this place stand out from the crowd. The flavours can’t live without are meticulously matched to those of the Indian subcontinent, but the ingredients are not. Samphire pakoras, made from the British marsh plant, aren’t something you’d likely find on a menu in Mumbai, and neither is venison, hake or garlic crab. ‘We 1 get people saying that these flavours remind them of home, but never with these ingredients,’ says 2 Kricket co-founder Rik Campbell. At time of writing, those ingredients are under careful review as Rik and his chef business-partner Will Bowlby refine the menu for their new outpost at Television Centre. While the Soho location is very apropos for its area (that is, cramped), White City offers a spacious kitchen that’s twice the size. ‘I’d like to think with that type of kitchen you can cook anything,’ says Rik, and promises more tandoori cooking (now that there’s space for a tandoor oven), different types of bread, bigger 3 dishes – perhaps even whole fish. He also promises the samphire pakoras. The new location shows just how far Kricket has come in a relatively short period of time. The idea for Kricket was born at Gail’s Bakery in Notting Hill, and opened a year later at Pop Brixton in 2014. Will had just returned from a two-year stint in Mumbai, where he became utterly enamoured by 4 the hectic city and its rich food culture. In London, he cut his teeth at Le Café Anglais, and later at Cinnamon Kitchen where he soaked up as much as he could about Indian spices and techniques. 1 Black cardamom ‘We created quite a lot of noise on the Indian Best when used sparingly, food scene’, says Rik. The Pop Brixton location this provides a complex was a success. Now in west London, the founders aroma. hope to be part of a new dining destination. ‘West London doesn’t have quite the same hospitality 2 Curry leaves selection,’ says Rik. ‘You’re spoiled for choice Beautiful aromatic leaves 4 Turmeric powder in Soho, and there’s so much going on in east that give a flavour unlike Should be seen but not London.’ He’s likened Kricket’s new home to what anything else. tasted. The brilliant yellow he saw at King’s Cross a few years ago. ‘We’re root is used often for very privileged to be in the middle vein of Television 3 Dried Kashmiri preservation and medicine. Centre. You have Soho House on one side and red chilli powder Bluebird on the other,’ he says. ‘And then in the For a brilliant colour and 5 Black mustard seeds middle it’s Rik and Will.’ 5 full, warm flavour. These A southern Indian cooking give a vibrant heat, but staple, the most flavourful Opens summer 2018 Opposite page: Photography by Tian Khee Siong not one that is lethal. variety of mustard seed.
14 15 WHITE CITY PLACE WHITE CITY PLACE
Food & drink Feast Bar & Kitchen F45 The new year-round spot from the High intensity training with expert The Athenian team behind Pergola on the Roof, instructors. No two classes are From the streets of Athens the buzzy seasonal street food ever alike. to the hungry diners of White restaurant atop Television Centre. City Place, The Athenian brings f45training.co.uk mouthwatering souvlaki and feastbarandkitchen.com more. @feastbarandkitchen Fa s h i o n & L i f e s t y l e theathenian.co.uk Starbucks Oliver Bonas @theathenianuk Seattle’s most reliable fix Clothing, jewellery and of coffees, light snacks and accessories for the home – the Butterscotch signature lattes. perfect fix for the last-minute gift. An imaginative café with heavenly afternoon tea, indulgent cakes, starbucks.co.uk oliverbonas.com Allpress Coffee and even a make- @starbucks your-own porridge bar. @oliverbonas
butterscotchbakery.co.uk Wellness Hair & Beauty by Design A one-stop beauty shop @butterscotchldn Studio Lagree offering hairstyling, facials, Power pilates from California waxing and massages. Coco di Mama using the innovative M3 Healthy pasta dishes and fresh Megaformer machines. hairandbeautybydesign.co.uk salads from the purveyors of the City’s best coffee. studiolagreeuk.com @studiolagreeuk cocodimama.co.uk @cocodimamauk
Crussh Special offer White City’s juice bar of record – F e a s t B a r & K i t c h e n I n f o c u s : blending and cold-pressing their natural elixirs around London since 1998. White City Place crussh.com @crushjuicebars
Nurture Health-conscious treats – a paradise for vegan and gluten- free eaters.
nurture.restaurant Further up Wood Lane from Television @nurturerestaurants Feast Bar & Kitchen has This season’s resident Centre, White City Place is a charged Pizza Street landed at White City Place. restaurants are Hackney creative and business hub, home to New York-style pizza the way comfort food kings Morty it’s meant to be enjoyed: slice They’re offering every reader & Bob’s and taco legends, game-changers like Yoox Net-a-Porter, by cheesy slice. See also their a complimentary glass of house Del 74. All dishes are no Huckletree and the Royal College of Art. signature smokey grilled chicken. wine or bottled beer. Just show more than £15 and start at the bartender this publication! just £6 – eat in or take-away. To fuel the brain power, a new cluster of pizzastreet.co.uk
shops, restaurants and cafés have @eatpizzastreet Above left: The Athenian This offer has been redeemed. Offer expires 31 March 2018. Above right: Coco di Mama opened their doors
16 17 TV GUIDE TV GUIDE
Clockwise from left: Homeslice, Bluebird, Food & Drink Wellness Patty&Bun Bayley & Sage House Gym by Soho House Independent delicatessen and Television Centre residents’ place gourmet grocer with nearly 20 for pumping, spinning, trotting, years of lunchtime authority. treading, lifting and a touch of ommmmm. bayley-sage.co.uk @bayleyandsage sohohouse.com @sohohouse Homeslice Regularly hailed as London’s best pizza, with unorthodox Entertainment toppings and prosecco on tap. BBC Studioworks
Three historic studios host homeslicepizza.co.uk live and recorded audience @homesliceldn programmes throughout the week. The Allis A cocktail concept by the Soho bbcstudioworks.com House Group. It may originate @bbc_studioworks from Chicago, but we hear they make a mean Manhattan. White City House
The latest addition to the Soho theallis.com House family. The adjoining hotel will offer 47 cosy bedrooms in Patty & Bun the historic Helios as of April. T h e l i n e u p a t London’s favourite burgers come to Television Centre. sohohouse.com Stacked buns that unhinge @sohohouse Television Centre the jaw.
Electric Cinema pattyandbun.co.uk A cosy new three-screen cinema @pattyandbunjoe opens to the public in 2018. Enjoy the latest arthouse flicks Kricket (or zombie thrillers) in a plush A hybrid of British ingredients setting. prepared using authentic Indian techniques and spices. electriccinema.co.uk
kricket.co.uk @kricketlondon.co.uk
Bluebird The sophisticated Chelsea establishment moves north. Modern European dining with an interior to please the well-heeled. Back at Television Centre: new shops, restaurants, a cinema and gym. These bluebird-restaurant.co.uk are just a few of the neighbours set to @bluebirdchelsea open during the first half of this year. We’ll be announcing more in upcoming issues of transmission
18 19 LOCAL AREA LOCAL AREA
4 What’s up, White City?
1 White City Place and the community to roll Innovative companies like up their sleeves. Net-a-Porter, Huckletree, the 1 RCA and ITV have all opened imperial.ac.uk their doors at this new 7 creative campus. See also: 5 Craig & Karl a full suite of podcast Petrol Station 5 recording facilities and an Before: an abandoned petrol equally robust lunch offering. station. After: a piece of public art. London-New York whitecityplace.com artist duo Craig & Karl have @whitecityplace created a vibrant installation, aptly inspired by television 2 Television Centre test cards. The former home of the BBC is reimagined into a craigandkarl.com mixed-use community. The @craigandkarl apartments are completing, a new Soho House opens 6 TfL Arches in April and the television The empty arches along the 6 studios are making Hammersmith & City line programmes once again. viaduct on Wood Lane will be empty no more. A new televisioncentre.com plan is in motion to transform @thisistvc these spaces into shops, restaurants and galleries. 3 Westfield White City Improved pedestrian access The new expansion at and the first arches open in Westfield means more than spring. 740,000 sq ft of new shops, and on top of that a colossal 7 Imperial College 2 new John Lewis flagship, South Campus which opens in March. While the White City campus 3 is well underway, Imperial is uk.westfield.com planning an additional site @westfieldlondon just south of the Westway. The proposed campus 4 Imperial College includes new pedestrian Imperial College has and bike routes through the outgrown its South neighbourhood, and new Kensington campus. This public spaces. new space is dedicated to multidisciplinary research, imperial.ac.uk/ and includes the Reach Out white-city-campus Markerspace, a workshop @imperialcollege filled with 3D printers, laser cutters and woodworking
Illustration: Li Maggie equipment for school children
20 21 LOCALTV GUIDE AREA ADVERTISEMENT
Bella Freud Show Apartment News & events Fashion designer Bella Freud will style one of the penthouses at Television Centre. Expect her witty design sensibilities applied to 2,300 sq ft. Live at Television Centre
Events Join the first residents in calling this West London icon home
Everything is Real Studios, 1, 2 and 3 bedroom For a behind-the-scenes look, visit New show apartments completed and off-plan our new show apartments – the first launching at 10am Everything is Real juxtaposes the apartments from £625,000* chance to see inside Television Centre Saturday 17 February work of two artists, the Parisian avant-garde multidisciplinary Sonia Delaunay and Tim Braden, 020 8811 8720 a contemporary artist with a televisioncentre.com similar approach to vibrant, eye-catching abstract works. The building itself – the site of the legendary 1970s Frestonia community of squatters and former recording studio of The Clash – is worth the visit alone.
Through 3 March, 2018 Frestonian Gallery
Hope to Nope: Graphics and Politics 2008–2018
Sonia Delaunay — Grand Helice Rouge, lithograph, 1970, ed. 25, 76×91cm A look at ten tumultuous years through the lens of graphic News design. A topical, and surely fascinating exhibition at the Stay tuned: Television Design Museum explores memes, Centre Launch protest signs and the power of We’re hosting a soirée of our political posters. The exhibition own later this spring to mark opens late March. When do we the launch of Television Centre. want it? Now! Expect scrumptious fare from the local restaurants, entertainment Opens 28 March, 2018 and a very special guest The Design Museum appearance. designmuseum.org
Television Centre The Ideal Home Show televisioncentre.com For serial DIY-doers or simply @thisistvc those with a project up their
sleeve, the colossal event space The White Company, Olympia will be transformed into
Image courtesy of Mary McCartney White City a moodboard of home inspiration. Our newest neighbour to Perfect for those of you, ahem, establish a new headquarters at moving into Television Centre. Television Centre is The White Company, a two-decades-old 17 March–2 April British company specialising in Clockwise from top: Olympia London cosy knits and home accessories, *prices correct at time of going to press Everything is Real; idealhomeshow.co.uk Bella Freud primarily in white.
22 23 Image courtesy of BBC Studioworks
Tuning back in
In the previous issue of Transmission we reported on the brand new TV production facilities at Television Centre. We pop by to see how they’ve settled in
1 2 3 4 5 It’s been busy. Very, It’s about to get a Who’s here? Well, Live music has made The studios are very busy. Since whole lot busier. everyone. The BBC is a triumphant return becoming a test bed opening doors last While The London producing programmes here too. Following for pilots. The team September, 162 Studio in South Bank like Strictly Come on the longstanding at Studioworks are episodes of television is undergoing Dancing: It Takes Two legacy of Top of the tight-lipped about have been produced, redevelopment, ITV and Pointless, and is Pops (also right here), the who and what, and 60 of those were Daytime is bringing joined by Sky, ITV and Sounds Like Friday but if you check in live transmissions. shows like Good Channel 4. Night is returning for with websites like Morning Britain, a second series. applausestore.com, This Morning and you can sit in on a Loose Women up to live recording. Television Centre.
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