DARTFORT DOJO

Article Write : Ken Shuttleworth

Design by : Ken Shuttleworth, Founder Make Architects
Guided by : Seiryoku Zenyo and Jita Kyoei
Service Engineer : Hilson Moran
Location : London, UK

Description

The Dartford Judo Centre, also called the Dartford Dojo, was the first purpose-built project in
the UK to meet Olympic training standards. Located in Dartford in Kent, it is home to the
Dartford Judo Club. It was opened by HRH Princess Anne in March 2006.

Dartford Dojo was designed by Make Architects. Dartford Borough Council asked the
architectural practice to take an existing proposal for a brownfield site south of the Dartford
River crossing, halve the cost, and deliver a completed, Olympic-standard building within a
year.

This was an extremely challenging brief, and the finished building is the result of a
programme of collaborative, intelligent design that sets new standards for innovation and cost
efficiency. The Judo centre was constructed between 2004 and 2006 at a cost of 4.5m. It
received funding from Dartford Borough Council (3.75m) and grants from Kent County
Council (250,000) and Sport England (450,000). The plans also include future expansion
of the Judo training centre with an investment of 5m. Of this, 1.5m is expected to be
funded by Dartford Borough Council.

From the outset, the design process was guided by two key principles of Judo Seiryoku
Zenyo (maximise efficiency) and Jita Kyoei (create mutual benefit).

The aim was to produce a building highly efficient in terms of construction, performance and
maintenance.
The decision to develop all design solutions in accordance with these maxims imbued the
building with the spirit of Judo, while ensuring that optimised efficiency was absolutely
fundamental to the design process.

Composite contruction

The building is constructed from pre-fabricated composite panels. Although conventionally

solid, here the panels are translucent, drawing glare-free daylight into the building while
minimising lighting and heating costs.

Every detail of the building has been designed to work as hard as possible, enhancing
people's experience of the building while ensuring that it is simple and efficient to run. For
example, the stainless steel mesh descending from a projecting canopy at the building's main
axis does not merely shade the glazed south-facing entrance; it also drains water off the
sloping roof and references traditions in Japanese architecture.

In addition, the mesh terminates in slabs of chalk aggregated concrete, which will erode as
rainwater trickles down the screen; the sculptural chalk feature also serves as a teaching
device which can be used to illustrate the Judo principle of softness overcoming hardness

Dartford Dojo is the first purpose-built, state-of-the-art judo facility in the UK and was used
by the British Judo Association in preparation for the London 2012 Olympics. The facilities
were also used by foreign teams in the lead up to the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Designed and built to an extremely exacting brief and tight budget, this project was inspired
by the judo philosophy of achieving maximum gain with minimum effort, resulting in a
building which is highly efficient in terms of construction, performance and maintenance.

PHOTO OF DOJO
SOURCE
http://www.makearchitects.com/projects/dartford-dojo/
http://www.designbuild-network.com/projects/dartford-judo/