Work begins on London’s £25m Jewish Community Centre

Bam has begun work on London’s new £25m, 35,000ft2 Jewish Community Centre.  

The ground breaking ceremony, held on Friday, was attended by mayor of London Boris Johnson and cultural philanthropist Dame Vivien Duffield, who is funding the scheme and whose visits to similar American centres inspired the project.

The centre, in Hampstead, was designed by architect Lifschutz Davidson Sandilands and will be the first purpose-built Jewish community centre in the capital when it opens in 2013.     

Alex Lifschutz, director at Lifschutz Davidson Sandilands, said: “Flexibility is at the heart of our design for the Jewish Community Centre. Accommodating a wide range of activities, this will be a truly multi-purpose building for a multi-cultural community and capital city.

“The pavilion and piazza will create a visual landmark set back from the busy Finchley Road that is destined to become a vibrant hub for anyone interested in Jewish life and culture.”

As well as the three-storey community centre, Lifschutz Davidson Sandilands’ design includes an open piazza and a residential block of 14 two-bedroom flats.

The scheme will feature natural ventilation, rainwater harvesting and solar panels.