A set of four affordable housing schemes in London’s Bankside district, by MSMR Architects for GC Bankside, a joint venture between Native Land and Grosvenor, has been approved by Southwark Council, including a development on Alice Street, close to Tower Bridge.

The four schemes represent half of the offsite affordable provision in connection with the NEO Bankside development on the Thames. They are located in Lorrimore Road, Abbey Street, Stevens Street and most recently Alice Street, London SE1. It is hoped that construction will begin later this year.

MSMR Architects negotiations with Southwark Council planners have been on-going over two years. The planning history of some of the sites goes back much further. The Alice Street site, for example, is a long, narrow, derelict, former car park running parallel to Tower Bridge Road, acknowledged by Southwark Council to be “less than attractive”. There have been several unsuccessful attempts to gain planning consent in the past as others have struggled with the site’s restrictions and other difficulties.

Nine 4 and 5 bedroom affordable homes will be built on the Alice Street site for the social rented sector. Each dwelling benefits from an innovative arrangement of living spaces on two sides of a private garden and the inclusion of large glass opening screens creates the potential to connect the inside and outside areas both visually and physically. The sense of space is therefore much greater than would otherwise be the case with a more traditional terraced plan form. The use of the front courtyards, the rear gardens and the flat roof terraces plays a vital role in the success of this development.

Overall massing, site lines, existing access points and crime prevention, have all been carefully considered to create a scheme that sits comfortably with its environment. Southwark Council’s Design Officer acknowledges that MSMR Architects have achieved an “innovative use of a very tight linear site”. The four schemes as a whole manage to deliver high quality, larger than average, affordable homes in a highly restrictive, challenging city-centre site.

About MSMR Architects

Over the last 10 years we have developed a reputation for producing exciting, contemporary architectural interiors. Creativity and design flair produces innovative solutions that maximise space and light and introduce spatial drama. Our diverse portfolio includes overseas work in Gibraltar and many high-end residential projects in central London, often on complex sites in conservation areas. Our full range of architecture and interior design services is complemented by our reliability and absolute commitment to get the project done.

For More info visit: http://www.msmrarchitects.co.uk

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