PROJECTS
This project combined urban design and architecture for the development of a site within the Swaine’s Lane village setting. Many designs were created over the four and a half years it took to get a planning permission but the essential ideas in the final built work are those we started with: breaking the site into two apartment buildings with village shops at street level and apartments above.
Whilst some of the earlier designs displayed an interest in developing the local Arts and Crafts tradition in a thoughtful and modern way, the final consented scheme maintained the urban design strategy but took on a more modern aspect.
‘‘We were delighted to make an important urban design and architectural contribution to a London village setting.’’
SWAINE’S LANE, HIGHGATE
LONDON, UK
We created a small ‘piazza’ between the two buildings to add to the richness of the street life setting and to give a glimpse northwards towards the tower of the church of St Anne and the trees that are present just north of the village. The sound of the church bells and some visibility towards the tower adds a note of openness within the village scene.
‘A palette of materials was selected to reflect the prevailing character of the local area; natural and of good quality to ensure that, like the surrounding buildings, the new buildings will mellow with age.’
THE DETAILS
