The Building Site

Laban Dance Centre

This new building, costing £22 million, was opened in February 2003 on Deptford Creekside. It is "the largest purpose-built contemporary dance space in the world".

Swiss architects Herzog & de Meuron designed the building, working with artist Michael Craig-Martin on the colour scheme for the building's revolutionary semi-reflective, semi-translucent polycarbonate cladding. This both mirrors the passing weather and allows the regular activity of the Centre to be semi-visible through the walls.

By night, the Centre becomes a coloured lantern or beacon: light and movement will spill out, illuminating the surrounding public gardens along Deptford Creek and providing a vibrant new landmark for the locality.

Local Materials : Round Towered Churches