I noted with interest the coverage of RCKa’s TNG youth building in Sydenham (Buildings June 21), not least because here at Ealing Council we have our own “ground-breaking” youth centre: Westside.

TNG Youth&Community Centre by RCKa

Source: Ioana Marinescu

The larger part of the cladding comprises of a skin of corrugated polycarbonate

Having been unsuccessful in obtaining Myplace funding, the council nevertheless proceeded with development to an equally expansive brief although, in this case, on a very challenging site within a conservation area.

Westside has been providing support for well over a year now to young people from across a borough directly affected by the riots of 2011, and was honoured with recognition by the RIBA in its 2013 Awards. It would be a shame if, in the week that saw the sad news of the death of Sir Colin Stansfield Smith (in many respects the last great public architect), notable work from a local authority “in-house” team went completely unrecorded.

Gavin Leonard
chief architect,
Ealing Council

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