22 NEW DEVELOPMENTS
Diamond in the Wharf A
14 storey residential tower has been completed in Battersea, London. Named Diamond Wharf, the finished building hosts over 30 residential apartments and three levels of commercial space – all in the grounds of a former two- storey commercial property.
Intended to form a new local landmark for the area, its top floors extend far above the neighbouring buildings, and its scarlet brise-soleil is visible from a considerable distance.
PLANNING Wimshurst Pelleriti, acting as both architect and joint venture developer, worked closely with Tibbalds Planning team to achieve this project, which wasn’t without its challenges. For instance, the team reportedly had to ensure a high level of design quality and environmental credentials in order to justify a building that rises nine stories above the local plan’s recom- mended height. According to Wimshurst Pelleriti, this was established through a series of diagrams and analysis of the surrounding context. As a result of these, the scheme then gained “immediate support” from the planners, said the firm.
The team added that it won support of local councillors and parks authorities through consultation and discussions, and engaged in numerous public consultations with local residents and societies. In the end, the firm gained permission for the exact scheme that was submitted.
THE FINISHED BUILDING
Now complete, Diamond Wharf – located overlooking a garden square – has a double height reception and three levels of commercial space across the basement, ground and first floor mezzanine. It provides a total of 33 residential apartments across 12 further floors, including 11 affordable units, with two large penthouses on the 14th floor with extensive views of London and the Thames.
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The architects explained that the building is “a natural landmark due to its axial position at the northern end of Harroway Gardens.” Wimshurst Pelleriti, taking the site context into account, created “a calm front and rear elevation embold- ened by strategically placed red solar shading panels.” Once entered via a double-height reception area, the building organisation is intended to be very clear, with a flexible floor plan allowing dual aspect flats with the core on one side. By setting the core to the side of the tower, Wimshurst Pelleriti’s design was able to “open up” the ground floor, maximise the use of the facade for the apartments, and enable oblique views. This design feature also provides environmental benefits, in that it allows the core to be naturally lit and ventilated. Within the apartments, floor to ceiling glazing leads onto ‘thermally broken’ balconies with glass balustrades, intended to make the most of the views of the green spaces that surround the site on two sides.
COMPANY STRATEGY
Before the development process, the company itself was actually in the process of forming. The directors of what is now Wimshurst Pelleriti – formerly RSH-P – met the owners of the site and identified the opportu- nity for a tower in 2013, which led directly to the formation of the company in order to deliver the development. Will Wimshurst, director and co-founder, explained: “We felt we had the skill, the appetite and the opportunity to design and develop our own projects; architects often shy away from taking such risks but in many ways as industry we are in a unique position to understand such risks – particularly during the planning process. “We are particularly focussed on developing awkward sites that need design innovation to unlock a viable solution. At the same time, we have considerable planning experience and enjoy the challenge of steering a radical solution through the system.”
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