Cultural and Residential Centre by Amanda Levete Architects

Client: Londonewcastle
Programme: Mixed use residential building
Area: 16,220m²
Status: Submitted for planning March 2011 by Londonewcastle (Shoreditch Ltd)
Architect: AL_A
Principal: Amanda Levete
Project Director: Ho-Yin Ng
Project Team: Matthew Wilkinson, Alice Dietsch, Frederick Pittman, David Flynn, May Leung, Naoki Kotaka, YooJin Kim, Dessislava Lyutakova
Consultants: Planning DP9
Townscape and Conservation: Richard Coleman
Structural Engineer: AKT
M&E Engineer: Grontmij
Quantity Surveyor: EC Harris
Landscape: Gross Max
Rights of Light: GIA
EIA: Waterman Environmental
CDM: PFB Construction
Traffic: Savell Bird & Axon
Programming: Elizabeth Tweedale

AL_A has developed plans for a mixed-used site in the heart of London’s East End. Located between Bethnal Green Road and Redchurch Street, the scheme for the Huntingdon Industrial Estate proposes the radical transformation of a former industrial site into an innovative and energised commercial, cultural and residential centre. London is a city that continues to evolve and re-invent itself, and Shoreditch is an intrinsic part of this.

The density and diversity, and the innovative and creative spirit which defines this area is reflected in the mixed residential and business communities that inhabit it, and the varying scales of building that surround it. AL_A’s design for Huntingdon addresses this complex urban context, and draws on the site’s vibrancy and pivotal position on the City fringe.

The plinth and tower structure will compliment surroundings by responding to the duality inherent in the site. The plinth is modelled with the same small scale, fragmented grain of historic Shoreditch and uses materials, which echo the tough, light industrial character of the area. The different sized retail spaces found here have been designed specifically to attract local, small and independent businesses, supported by capped rent, which will continue to contribute to this expanding community. Plans to further preserve and enrich the neighbourhood’s cultural and creative life centre around the development of a gallery space, creative workshop atelier and a covered, pedestrianised market.

The slim residential tower, positioned immediately opposite the new Shoreditch station appears to rise from the plinth, twisting elegantly as it reaches upwards. A material palette of glass and zinc-coated steel of different scales, textures and finishes, enables a low density mass over the majority of the site, and creates an urban grain that integrates with the surroundings. The sophisticated dynamic form responds to solar conditions throughout the day enabling optimum daylight for new and existing homes, and minimising unwanted solar gain. A rich mix of apartment sizes, and a green landscaped roof, will offer a variety of environmentally friendly, energy-efficient homes in this sought after location, and will set a precedent for landmark quality apartments that do not currently exist in Tower Hamlets.

The Huntingdon Estate scheme is being developed by Londonewcastle and was submitted for planning in March following in depth consultations with the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, GLA, CABE, EH and local residents and community groups.