PROJECT REPORT: RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS 45
© Luke Hayes
© Luke Hayes
centre for adults with learning disabilities. The bigger picture of 35% of tenants being local or keyworkers on reduced salaries gives the scheme a particularly compelling tie-in to local social value.
Procurement was by way of a single stage
tender, with the contractor appointed in September 2020. Assael were novated and construction began in November 2020, and was completed in October 2022 on time and budget.
Overall design The scheme, built using a Design & Build contract by McAleer & Rushe, was designed to “interact with and enhance” the riverside setting, say the architects, including with a new accessible pedestrian bridge connecting to the ‘Wandle Trail.’ Ground floor amenities such as the cafe and co-working spaces have been positioned prominently (the former at the glazed south east corner of the building behind dramatic, industrial-inspired steel elements), to “activate the riverfront and create a strong connection to the natural environment.” The building responds closely to its constrained site, with two linked apartment blocks inspired by the site’s industrial heritage, designed to address the river and railway respectively. They have been carefully orientated for users’ benefit, and are connected by the double-height
ADF MARCH 2024
entrance. The cafe and restaurant provide further connection with the outside, with seating spilling out onto a terrace area enhanced by the sound of the river. The forms have been articulated slightly to offer more visual interest externally with a more organic, ad hoc feel, and better internal environments avoiding north-facing rooms. Each of the two connected blocks have been broken down into two further forms visually, of different heights (from six storeys to eight). Associate director at Assael Emily Newton explains the approach further: “We kinked the two blocks to avoid single-aspect north-facing rooms and long continuous corridors.”
The volume facing the railway contains the shared residents’ kitchen (on the second floor) and connected dining space, offering a place for residents to cook and eat together, share cookery classes, and socialise. Resident-run allotments on the terrace adjoining the kitchen contribute vegetables and herbs. There is a capacious roof terrace on the sixth floor, landscaped by Farrer Huley and Park Hood.
The first floor contains most of the amenity spaces, with the lounge and breakout area sitting above the central reception. Towards the east flank and overlooking the river are the library and bookable private dining room, and behind the circulation core is the ‘screening
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A wide variety of living spaces are included, including more ‘introverted’ nooks
“We kinked the two blocks to avoid single-aspect north-facing rooms and long, continuous corridors” Emily Newton, Assael Architecture
© Luke Hayes
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