The Halo
- Client: Berkeley Group
- Contacts: Jason Rudolph, Simon Gillett
The Halo represents a pivotal component of the strategy developed by Rolfe Judd in collaboration with Berkeley Homes after the previously approved plans for the regeneration of the Oval Village and Kennington Lane area.
Grade II Listed Gasholder No. 1 at the Kennington Gasholder Station was built in 1877-9, at the time was the world’s largest gasholder and an early example of the use of wrought-iron in the construction of the guide frame. The view of Gasholder no. 1 from the cricket ground is synonymous with The Kennington Oval. It has been the backdrop to some memorable cricket matches over the years.
Our design raises the metallic frame with new bases at the foot of the vertical columns. This change will help enhancing the landscaping and terrace design to improve the site’s amenity and playspace.
These bases will be clad in glazed green brick bond referencing Victorian engineering and construction. The outer skin of the building will be made of white brick as it had the ability to reflect light, appear robust and pure, whilst setting off the silhouette of the guide frame making it visible in the long distance and close-up views.
The layout of the building has been completely altered to accommodate emerging fire safety regulations to enable all homes to have access to two means of escape. It will deliver a more successful residential unit mix, increasing the number of dual aspect homes, and providing external private amenity to all of them.
This updated design responds more harmoniously to the gasholder’s structure geometry and its context, while seamlessly integrating sustainable design principles to enhance both human and environmental health.
The redevelopment of this key brownfield site puts emphasis on fostering inclusive communities and economic prosperity. The whole Ocval Village regeneration will deliver 1336 high quality residential units of different tenures, over 170,000sqft of mixed use commercial space, supporting 1,400 new jobs through a range of business spaces, and create new richly landscaped routes, encouraging footfall through Oval.
It will also improve and diversify the area’s ecology, providing much needed housing, and shaping a vibrant and resilient cityscape for future generations.
