{"id":761585,"date":"2024-10-28T10:53:13","date_gmt":"2024-10-28T10:53:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.architectsjournal.co.uk\/?p=761585"},"modified":"2024-10-29T10:08:03","modified_gmt":"2024-10-29T10:08:03","slug":"heatherwick-and-grid-to-add-more-homes-to-ahmm-camden-o2-masterplan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.architectsjournal.co.uk\/news\/heatherwick-and-grid-to-add-more-homes-to-ahmm-camden-o2-masterplan","title":{"rendered":"Heatherwick and GRID to add more homes to AHMM Camden O2 masterplan"},"content":{"rendered":"

Landsec announced last week that it had appointed the two practices to add 50 more homes than the 608 units granted consent by Camden Council in March 2023 for phase one of AHMM\u2019s masterplan. The total masterplan included 1,800 homes. A\u00a0provision <\/span>of <\/span>36 per cent affordable <\/span>housing has not changed.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Other amendments include more open space and 175 more trees, play areas and a\u00a0dedicated community and cultural building in the park.\u202f<\/span> Heatherwick will also work with GRID to improve the <\/span>ground floor, <\/span>fa\u00e7ade<\/span>s, b<\/span>alconies<\/span> and <\/span>window detailing.\u202f\u202f<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The amended scheme will add one to two storeys to AHMM\u2019s consented plans, which included buildings ranging between 10 to 15 storeys. This means the scheme could reach 17 storeys.<\/p>\n

Landsec development director Timothy Trillo<\/span><\/span> said the amended scheme would be \u2018greener, healthier and more connected\u2019. He added: \u2018<\/span>This<\/span> design<\/span> collaboration <\/span>will <\/span>turn a<\/span> complex urban brownfield site<\/span> into <\/span>a <\/span>thriving part of <\/span>Camden<\/span> \u2013<\/span> transform<\/span>ing<\/span> an<\/span> under-utilised <\/span>car park<\/span>,<\/span> surrounded by stations<\/span>, into a <\/span>flourishing<\/span> new neighbourhood.\u2019<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

GRID Architects director Mukesh Patel said: \u2018<\/span>Our aim is to create this new neighbourhood of buildings which bring joy and interest to all those who will experience them.\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n

According to Landsec, the rejigged plans will\u00a0 \u2018further embed\u2019 the vision of proposals for a new <\/span>urban <\/span>neighbourhood between Finchley Road and West Hampstead Station<\/span>. The AJ understands AHMM is no longer actively involved in the project.<\/p>\n

AHMM’s plans were approved last year<\/a> following criticism from some local residents and the area\u2019s Labour MP, who said they were concerned the scheme did not include enough affordable housing nor facilities for local people.<\/p>\n

A sustainability statement<\/a> by engineering consultant Buro Happold, meanwhile, claimed the centre had \u2018inefficient and outdated floorplates\u2019 and \u2018an inefficient fa\u00e7ade\u2019 which did not meet the requirements of modern commercial buildings.<\/p>\n

Under a s106 agreement, Landsec is liable to offset the demolition through a one-off \u00a3828,000 payment and \u00a34.6 million to offset the public open space shortfall under planning rules.<\/p>\n

Once complete, the planned development would include about 18,500m\u00b2 of commercial space and a 278m\u00b2 cultural centre. AHMM\u2019s scheme included 17,410 of non-residential floorspace, including a cinema \u2013 replacing the Cineworld in the O2 Centre \u2013 shops, restaurants and a \u2018drinking establishment\u2019. This would be less than half of the commercial space currentlyon the site.<\/p>\n

The flattening of the O2 Centre<\/a> is earmarked for the final stage of phased construction, meaning it would stay in place for five to seven years.<\/p>\n

The Heatherwick Studio GRID scheme will be submitted as a s73 amendment to the consented plans.<\/p>\n