Development showcase - Whitgift Street

Our Whitgift Street development was the winner of 2008's Design for Living 'Best Small Project' award.

These internal awards aim to promote excellent design in the development of L&Q's new homes and have been running since 2004. Eight developments were shortlisted this year. Judging criteria were based on the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment's nationally recognised 'Building for Life' assessment methodology for well-designed housing and neighbourhoods.

L&Q Group Chief Executive David Montague said that the quality of entries was "a testament to the skills, drive and determination of our staff and construction and consultant partners."

Winner of 'best small project': Whitgift Street

Whitgift Street is a high density scheme of 17 one and two bedroom homes for affordable rent in Vauxhall, London Borough of Lambeth, in L&Q's South neighbourhood.

Judges praised:
* The creative use of a restricted site to provide "spacious and well-proportioned accommodation with the feel of a private development"
* Its attractive design with good use of brickwork
* Generous private external space and a well-designed communal garden with simple planting and very good seating

About the site:

The development is in prominent position on the corner of Whitgift Street and the entrance to Lambeth High Street. It was formerly used as a car park until the site was purchased by L&Q in 2005. The development was completed in November 2007.

Whitgift Street sits behind the Albert Embankment with its tall buildings and due to its location is generally free from the ma¬jor constraints of busy road traffic noise and pollution. It is in close proximity to several schools, health centres, a post office and shops, a community centre, a youth club, places of worship and a large park providing an expanse of green space with some play facilities for younger children.

Design

Whitgift Street is a narrow street and as such the building's principle elevations can only viewed obliquely. The building has been designed with this in mind, having a strong corner element with large curved balconies and expanses of glazing. This also creates a defined end to Whitgift Street.

The building is constructed with a wide range of materials such as render and timber in order to reflect the surrounding tall buildings. Large balconies feature on three facades and these assist in giving the building a more lightweight identity. The top floor of the building is set back on the western side and provides large roof terraces for its flats.

The facade to the building is alternately protective and open. The eastern facade, facing the railway is brick, whilst the top floor is rendered in white where it rises above and away from the railway. In contrast the western facade is more open, with open deck providing access to the individual flats. These decks are finished with timber, with crisp metal balustrades which provide shadow and detail to the facade.

All balconies and terraces lead to living rooms via large doors with adjacent windows, to admit as much natural daylight as possible.

Architect - Stock Woolstencroft

Employer's Agent - BPM Project Management

Contractor - Sibmar Construction Group

Stephen George, Director of Sibmar Construction Group, said "This site raised the usual challenges of inner city building particularly with the buildings footprint covering the majority of the site. Added to this, was the complication of the close proximity of the main line railway and multi storey residential buildings.

This site proved to us that with careful planning and close liaison with all stake holders, the challenges of inner city construction can be overcome even on the tightest of sites. It was therefore a huge honour for us to be awarded first place for the 'Best Small Scheme' award for this challenging but rewarding project."