Shakespeare Road
- Client: Urban & Provincial
- Contacts: Andrew Long, Steve Harvey, Anil Pallan, Michał Sęczkowski
Shakespeare Road is a new and exciting higher density residential-led scheme that’s located within the London Borough of Lambeth, for Urban Provincial.
The innovative scheme seeks to redevelop an existing safeguarded waste site into new high quality housing alongside substantial new public realm and urban greening. The approved planning application details demolition of the existing buildings, construction of three separate plots comprising of 218 residential units of which 35% will be affordable.
The overall design aims to respect the local character along Shakespeare Road and the surrounding context. The proposals provide an appropriate response to the residential nature of the area as well as central landscaped gardens that provide secure, pedestrian only, fully accessible generous amenity and play space, for residents to enjoy.
A new frontage is created to Shakespeare Road to complete the street scene, with the taller forms towards the railway. Along the street, the buildings are 4 storeys with a setback 5th floor to respond to the immediate context. Towards the railway, the central buildings rise to 9-11 storeys reflecting the wider context of the Guinness Trust Development and emerging context of the approved Somerleyton Road Masterplan. To the north and south, buildings step down to respect the adjacent neighbours.
The architecture and materiality of the proposals were inspired by the rich history of the site and thorough analysis of the existing context. Recessive, brick textured facades respond in colour to the immediate surroundings with metal infill panels and setbacks referencing the railway and coal yard history.
Detailed analysis, evaluation and an iterative design review has shaped and defined the optimised, sustainable, and inclusive ‘car free’ proposal. The same architectural quality and treatment applies to all buildings ensuring the development is truly tenure blind.
