Twelvetrees Park
- Client: Berkeley Group Plc
- Contacts: Andrew Long, Thomas Futcher
As a vital component of the wider TwelveTrees Masterplan, which will deliver nearly 4,000 new homes, commercial spaces, community facilities, and public infrastructure, Plot S03 plays a crucial role in defining the character of this vibrant new urban neighborhood.
Located in the southern corner of Phase 1, Plot S03 consists of four residential blocks ranging from 11 to 29 storeys, adapted to new fire safety regulations, optimising the development’s performance, while preserving the original vision of this key part of the site.
The introduction of new fire safety regulations, requiring dual staircases, created a need for a reconfiguration of the buildings’ footprints and massing. To accommodate these changes, the design of Blocks D and F has been adjusted, with increases in footprint and height to maintain the slender proportions of the buildings. This ensures compliance with fire safety requirements while maximising the number of dual-aspect homes, offering enhanced daylight, cross-ventilation, and views.
Block F has been reshaped into three interlocking volumes, a solution that optimises floor plans and delivers high-quality housing while maintaining slenderness and efficiency. Similarly, Block E, raised on a two-storey plinth, incorporates a stepped facade that breaks down the building’s vertical rhythm and creates dynamic street frontages. Block C mirrors this articulation strategy, maintaining a cohesive architectural identity across the site.
The industrial heritage of the site, once home to the Canning Town Glass Works, is woven into the architectural language of the development. Facade detailing draw inspiration from glass manufacturing, incorporating motifs and shapes reminiscent of glass bottles, adding a layer of historical character and material richness to the buildings. Balcony railings are central to the facade strategy, with blocks C and E featuring metal railings shaped like glass bottles, while Block D uses motifs inspired by stacked bottles.
Architectural elements echo patterns, shapes, and materials associated with glass production, bringing a sense of heritage and richness to the design.
- Block F is defined by three interlocking volumes, featuring a white masonry grid with tessellated motifs inspired by the Thistle Vase and bottle-green spandrels. Balconies are integrated into the grid, enhancing consistency.
- Block E uses a light red brick facade with horizontal banding and a stepped massing breaking vertical rhythms into double-storey modules.
- Block D is the marker building, with interlocking lighter and darker red brick volumes, adding richness to the pedestrian arrival experience.
- Block C features a lighter red brick with a pale brick two-storey plinth, reflecting the same rhythmic design principles as Block E.
Throughout the design development process, environmental considerations, such as daylighting, acoustics, and wind mitigation, have played a central role. Enhanced acoustic performance on the east-facing facades, alongside carefully positioned windows to optimise thermal performance, ensures a comfortable living environment.
