Escolar Documentos
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Cultura Documentos
Design Statement
August 2012
Contents
1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 3.8
Introduction Foreword Outline of Proposed Development Aerial Photograph of site Design Development and Principles Design Principles Design Development Materials Design Proposal / Concept Plans Elevations Elevation Detail Studies Site Plan Panoramic View (from north) Panoramic View (from station) View from Bridge (south) View from Station (dusk)
1.0
Introduction
1.1 Foreword
The scheme presented as part of this planning application has evolved over the course of the last year in close liaison with officers at the London Borough of Brent and other interested parties and follows a detailed assessment of the site context (as set out in the accompanying Design + Access Statement (Nathaniel Lichfield & Partners) and Townscape & Heritage Appraisal (Montagu Evans). Occupying the south-western corner of the Mapesbury Conservation Area, the site of 110 Walm Lane sits alongside the Metropolitan and Jubilee line and diagonally opposite from the Willesden Green underground station. The site houses a large Edwardian Arts and Crafts former Doctors surgery dating from 1896, which operated as a Conservative Club since the early 20th century until its closure in recent years. Part of the ground floor is currently let as a restaurant/public house. The site was acquired by Fairview New Homes in January 2012 and provides the potential for an outstanding new residential building on this pivotal site.
The brief for the redevelopment of 110 Walm Lane offers a unique opportunity to create a minor landmark at this strategic part of Willesden Green, that would complete a key urban node around the station. The proposal delivers a residential scheme with a mixed tenure providing much needed sustainable new housing. Key issues are:
The provision of a building that will enhance the character of the area. Provision of high quality architecture worthy of its location on the edge of the Mapesbury Conservation Area Creation of high quality public space onto Walm Lane. High quality and indigenous materials to building and landscape. Provision of a high proportion of dual aspect residential units. Careful consideration given to the aspect of living spaces and their relationship to observation (street) and privacy (courtyard). Varied mix of dwelling types including duplex, wheelchair accessible and a range of 1 3 bed units. Creation of front door apartments, utilising multicore access reinforcing the sense of ownership and responsibility. Provision of on-site CHP (combined heat and power). Provision of on-site power generation from PV (photovoltaic) installation. Provision of Lifetime Homes.
The site provides a unique opportunity to create a minor landmark building around the station.
2.0
In proposing a new building on this prominent site sandwiched between two conservation areas and a Grade II listed underground station, the starting point has to be the question of an appropriate response. Too often in the recent past, architects and planners resorted to pastiche rather than a confident expression of their time and this has led to many poorly conceived buildings. Buildings we all admire all have one thing in common they were all true to their time, and this is why they become listed as part of our heritage. St Pauls cathedral, the Houses of Parliament and the Royal Festival Hall were all new expressions that created confident contemporary buildings that were challenging in their day, but soon became cherished. Pastiche, in contrast, is a concoction from past styles and adds nothing to our heritage, imitating rather than respecting the past and in doing so, it devalues both past and the future. The popular philosopher Alain De Botton describes pastiche as, an unconvincing reproduction of the styles of the past, so the challenge on this site is to create a convincing architectural response that while contemporary, finds a way to respect and refer to the past without recourse to pastiche. The architectural ambition is to echo not mimic, complement not contradict the existing built context, while making a new landmark building on this site. The best architecture today asserts a contemporary expression grafted on to the site specifics and context, both historic and cultural. On Walm Lane, the presence of both the railway and a strong Edwardian fabric provides a fertile ground for the proposal to grow from. 110 Walm Lane is a typical Edwardian Arts and Crafts building in brick, tile and pitched roofs. Curiously, it is not of a domestic scale, but inflated and so appears somewhere between a small civic building and a very large house this was exacerbated in 1910 when it was extended and converted into a Conservative Club. What the building does do however, is form part of a group of larger buildings that cluster around the railway which arrived in 1879 and was the catalyst for the development of the now much loved residential districts and commercial high street.
NORTH
The site is set between an Edwardian red brick residential district and Willesden Green station
Creating a direct relationship between the station and the new building
The jewel in the crown here is the Grade II listed Willesden Green underground station, built in 1925 by the Metroplitan Railway Company under the architect C W Clark and stands alone and while only two-stories high, attracts attention by its use of distinctive, glazed cream coloured terracotta (faience) facades. The station sits at the highest point of the neighbourhood and along with 110 Walm Lane, the double height curved glass shopfronts on the corner of Station Parade and the recent seven-storey block on the opposite side of the railway, forms something of an urban hub, a celebration of the railway. This is a very apt location for a modest landmark building. The site, while at the very south-west tip of the Mapesbury Conservation Area, sits slightly apart from it, with a run of post-war buildings running north along Walm Lane and perhaps associates itself more in reality to the railway the catalyst for the whole area. It has a reciprocal relationship with the station being directly opposite the northernmost exit and will complete a small urban cluster around the station and bridge. The ambition is therefore to create a real piece of architecture here, true to its time while rooted in the history and context to act as a minor landmark for Willesden. The massing of the proposal is fairly straightforward a lower element that forms a datum in red brick and a central, taller element that addresses the station expressed as a small tower. The lower parts are designed to reflect the context and so are built in Mapesbury red brick, expressed as framed rather than walled facades, containing balconies and an inner layer of windows and dark panels that appear at high level as a dark zinc attic storey. This slightly neutral architectural expression provides a background for the tower element without attempting to compete with it for attention. The tower is therefore conceived as architecturally distinct from the lower background buildings and is carefully proportioned to have elegance and simplicity. It is given richness by the use of a slender and carefully detailed framed balcony screen that forms a frontage that is then angled to directly address the station. The tower itself is proposed in a warm red terracotta cladding.
Early concept sketch illustrating the idea of a strong, clear central tower set within a datum of lower brick base
The massing of the proposal was tested in a series of conceptual 3D models, as illustrated. The lower parts are designed to reflect the context and so are built in red brick, expressed as brick framed facades, containing balconies and an inner layer of windows and dark panels that appear at high level as a dark zinc attic storey. This slightly neutral architectural expression provides a background for the tower element without attempting to compete with it for attention. The tower is therefore conceived as architecturally distinct from the lower background buildings and is carefully proportioned to have elegance and simplicity. It is given richness by the use of a slender and carefully detailed framed balcony screen forming a frontage that is angled to directly address the station and part faced with terracotta louvres forming a sail. The tower itself is faced in a warm ruby red terracotta cladding, a material that subtly picks up on the use of this material within the Mapesbury residential area as well as making a more direct connection to the materiality of the station but without imitation, for the warm red colour contrasts the use of cream terracotta used on the station. This is further enhanced by a variation at high level to narrower terracotta panels that feather the building towards its apex. Key to the success of the design will be attention to detail and the use of precise, machine-made natural materials such as brick, zinc and terracotta that will lend a precision and weather gracefully.
The design proposed not only provides much needed new housing in a highly sustainable location, but also offers the opportunity to bring a high quality piece of architecture a minor landmark to this important site and with its feet in history, rises up to be a confident expression of both the past, and the future.
The question of height has been tested and while a tower up to 12 storeys has been considered, a 10 storey tower has proved to provide the most pleasing solution. A shorter tower would lack the proportional elegance ( a width to height ration of a minimum of 1:5 defines the term tower)
At street level the proposal exploits the small angled group of shop units (in otherss ownership) that sit against the bridge and by introducing a second angled wall on the opposite side shielding ground floor residential gardens, forms a new, small urban space. The vision is to create a dynamic approach to the main entrance. This triangular public space has a central triangular raised planter, edged in Corten steel, that also acts as a transition between the falling land, so steps occupy one side while the pavement ramps down to the other. With a new specimen tree and climbing plants against the new stone-faced wall, together with a large framed view into a planted garden at ground level, we aim to put the green back into Willesden Green to create a friendly public realm.
The view left, shows our vision for the new public space and imagines the three retail units (not within the application) refurbished to bring new life to this minor urban space
A view testing the massing looking south (from Walm Lane approaching from the Mapesbury Conservation Area)
From the outset, the design has been tested using CAD models set within the context to test the scale and massing. This has allowed an exploration of scale within the setting to arrive at a suitable scale for the building The view above is from the bridge east of Walm Lane over the railway The view above is looking north along Walm Lane
2.3 Materials
Willesden Green is a red brick, Edwardian suburb yet the location for this proposal is somewhat dominated by the cream terracotta-clad underground station building. Our concept creates a datum of brick buildings that form a base to the prominent taller corner we propose storey height terracotta panels, that become a finer (grooved) texture to the upper two floors as if dissolving into the sky. Terracotta louvres (or baguettes) form a diaphanous screen, or sail on the balcony framework that fronts onto Walm Lane, which in turn, is conceived as a bolted-on, elegant steel balcony screen with sophisticated glazed balconies. Terracotta baguettes (louvres) form the sail to the front of the tower Terracotta panels clad the tower element Terracotta panels Attic storeys are proposed in a dark grey zinc cladding to pick up on local slate and metal roofs of the locality. This material is also used as infill panels to glazed apertures within the brick facades. Encapsulated timber panels are provided as infill units to some locations to add variety within a limited palette. The ground floor entrance area is given prominence by the use of a reconstituted stone wall, which forms a backdrop to a minor public space, complete with a Corten planter.
3.0
Design Proposals
WA LM LAN E
The scheme provides a total of 56 high quality residential units, including a mix of both private and affordable. The scheme includes a mix of one, two and three bedroom units spread throughout the development. The unit mix can be broken down as follows:
GREEN ROOF
LEVEL 5
B
B
LEVELS 6+7
A total of 23 parking spaces (including 3 No disabled bays) are provided at basement level within a secure car park area.
BI NS
T B
LEVEL 4
B
RAIL W
AY
LEVEL 3
B
83m2
VENT
B B B B B B
BASEMENT
LEVEL 1
LEVEL 2
LEVEL 09
LEVEL 08
LEVEL 07
LEVEL 06
7
LEVEL 05
1
LEVEL 04
10
LEVEL 03
LEVEL 02
LEVEL 01
11
GROUND
This drawing, the work of architecture to which it relates, and any notes relating to them are protected by copyright. To the extent that this is a design document it is, in addition, protected by design right. All rights in them are reserved. They are provided for your information about the application only. No part of them or any design to which they relate may be reproduced in any form or any means without the prior written permission of Fairview New Homes Limited, except as expressly permitted by law. The doing of any unauthorised act in relation to them may result in both a civil claim and criminal prosecution.
3 Bed 4P Apartments
ROOF
6 Cladding Panels: - Retained Existing Tree Rockpanel cladding or similar - RAL 7035 7 Metal Cladding: Kalzip, Reynobond or similar
Existing Tree - Removed
LEVEL 09
Proposed Tree
LEVEL 08
9 Balconies to Walm Lane tower: Glass balustrade Grey Fascia - RAL 7012 White soff i board t
2
LEVEL 07
10 Balconies: Grey metal balustrade - RAL 7012 Grey Fascia - RAL 7012 White soff i board t 11 Stone Entrance Screen: Reconstituted stone - Portland (JP Naylor or similar)
rev date initials description
LEVEL 06
LEVEL 05
1
LEVEL 04
drawing:
7
LEVEL 03
10
1201-400
LEVEL 02 status:
P1
PLANNING
scale @ A1: date:
LEVEL 01
1:200
AUGUST 2012
GROUND
john
jpa
pardey
Lymington Hampshire
architects
www.johnpardeyarchitects.com
LEVEL 09
2
LEVEL 08
LEVEL 07
LEVEL 06
LEVEL 05
3
LEVEL 04
5
LEVEL 03
10
LEVEL 02
LEVEL 01
11
GROUND
This drawing, the work of architecture to which it relates, and any notes relating to them are protected by copyright. To the extent that this is a design document it is, in addition, protected by design right. All rights in them are reserved. They are provided for your information about the application only. No part of them or any design to which they relate may be reproduced in any form or any means without the prior written permission of Fairview New Homes Limited, except as expressly permitted by law. The doing of any unauthorised act in relation to them may result in both a civil claim and criminal prosecution.
3 Bed 4P Apartments
6 Cladding Panels: - Retained Existing Tree Rockpanel cladding or similar - RAL 7035 7 Metal Cladding: Kalzip, Reynobond or similar 8 Windows: Grey - RAL 7012
Proposed Tree Existing Tree - Removed
ROOF
9 Balconies to Walm Lane tower: Glass balustrade Grey Fascia - RAL 7012 White soff i board t LEVEL 09 10 Balconies: Grey metal balustrade - RAL 7012 Grey Fascia - RAL 7012 White soff i board t 11 Stone Entrance Screen: Reconstituted stone - Portland (JP Naylor or similar)
rev date initials description
2
LEVEL 08
LEVEL 07
6
LEVEL 06
drawing:
LEVEL 05
1
LEVEL 04
1201-401
status:
P1
4
LEVEL 03
PLANNING
scale @ A1: date:
5
LEVEL 02
1:200 10
AUGUST 2012
LEVEL 01
GROUND
john
jpa
pardey
Lymington Hampshire
architects
www.johnpardeyarchitects.com
AXONOMETRIC VIEW
1:50 ELEVATION
METAL SHELF ANGLE GREY - RAL 7012 WINDOWS GREY - RAL 7012
HANDRAIL STAINLESS STEEL BRISE-SOLEIL TERRACOTTA BAGUETTES ALIVA GRESCOVERING COLOUR - GC012 IN GREY METAL FRAME BALCONY OPEN TIMBER DECKING
Delivering a high quality landmark building on this site depends a great deal on the quality of materials and detailing, so the application has paid great attention to these aspects and are documented in a series of key bay studies this sheet illustrates the tower element.
BALUSTRADE GLASS
This drawing, the work of architecture to which it relates, and any notes relating to them are protected by copyright. To the extent that this is a design document it is, in addition, protected by design right. All rights in them are reserved. They are provided for your information about the application only. No part of them or any design to which they relate may be reproduced in any form or any means without the prior written permission of Fairview New Homes Limited, except as expressly permitted by law. The doing of any unauthorised act in relation to them may result in both a civil claim and criminal prosecution.
john pardey architects cad f ie: l Key 1 Bed Apartments 1 Bed Apartments - Wheelchair 2 Bed 3P Apartments 2 Bed 3P Apartments - Wheelchair 2 Bed 4P Apartments 2 Bed 4P Apartments - Wheelchair 3 Bed 4P Apartments 3 Bed 5P Apartments 3 Bed 5P Apartments - Wheelchair Existing Tree - Retained
Proposed Tree
AXONOMETRIC VIEW
1:50 ELEVATION
rev
date
initials description
drawing:
DETAILS
project:
1201-601
status:
P1
PLANNING
scale @ A1: date:
1:50
AUGUST 2012
BALUSTRADE METAL - GREY - RAL 7012 ALUMINIUM COPING GREY - RAL 7012
john
jpa
pardey
Lymington Hampshire
architects
www.johnpardeyarchitects.com
AXONOMETRIC VIEW
1:50 ELEVATION
BALUSTRADE METAL - GREY - RAL 7012 BALCONY ALUMINIUM FASCIA - GREY - RAL 7012 OPEN TIMBER DECKING BRICK RED STOCK
QUARTZ ZINC
1:50 ELEVATION
This drawing, the work of architecture to which it relates, and any notes relating to them are protected by copyright. To the extent that this is a design document it is, in addition, protected by design right. All rights in them are reserved. They are provided for your information about the application only. No part of them or any design to which they relate may be reproduced in any form or any means without the prior written permission of Fairview New Homes Limited, except as expressly permitted by law. The doing of any unauthorised act in relation to them may result in both a civil claim and criminal prosecution.
2 Bed 3P Apartments - Wheelchair 2 Bed 4P Apartments 2 Bed 4P Apartments - Wheelchair 3 Bed 4P Apartments
Proposed Tree
1:50 ELEVATION
rev
date
initials description
RAINSCREEN CLADDING TERRACOTTA - ALIVA GRESCOVERING COLOUR - GC012 BETWEEN GREY METAL SHELF ANGLES
drawing:
DETAILS
project:
1201-600
SPANDREL GREY - RAL 7012
status:
P1
PLANNING
scale @ A1: date:
1:50
AUGUST 2012
john
jpa
pardey
Lymington Hampshire
architects
www.johnpardeyarchitects.com