Ravensbourne Wharf
London, UK
A tall residential development on a compact site, providing over 120 new homes. Due to site constraints, an innovative layout was needed to ensure all homes were dual aspect while minimising the number of apartment types to simplify the design and facilitate off-site construction.
Inspired by local industrial chimneys and the old Tudor palace chimneys at Greenwich, the design featured apartments arranged in organic, flowing brick patterns in a radial formation. Service areas were centrally located, with wide living spaces around the perimeter to maximise natural light and ventilation. Balconies were integrated into the gaps between the brick modules, offering sheltered outdoor spaces that complemented the building's dynamic form.
Sustainability was a key focus, with a hybrid structure reducing concrete volume to lower embodied carbon. A low-temperature energy loop connected to air-source heat pumps cut operational carbon emissions by over 60%, ensuring long-term performance.
The design was met with high praise from the Council, with the planning board describing it as "architecturally superior" to any previous proposals they had reviewed. The innovative blend of modern construction techniques and thoughtful design elements not only addressed the challenges of building on a small site but also created a striking and dynamic piece of architecture that reflected the history of the area while meeting the needs of residents.
Credits:
Completed while at Craftworks & CGIs by Picture Plane
