C.F. Møller has been appointed as architect for Phase 3 of Blackwall Reach Regeneration Project, reports Swan Housing Association.
Phase 3 will create approximately 330 new homes of which 50% will be affordable.
The new homes will range from 1-bedroom flats to 5-bedroom maisonettes, providing much needed affordable accommodation for families in the Borough. They will be arranged to make the most of the central Millennium Green, which will be re-landscaped.
C. F. Møller Architects has been appointed following a competitive process. The appointment process, from Swan's architectural framework, focused on the approach the interested practices would take on design, how they would respond to the sensitive site and how they would work with the development partners and local community. A number of practices were shortlisted and five were invited to present their ideas.
All five firms who presented their ideas impressed the panel, but C.F Møller shone out on the basis of their excellent design ideas for Blackwall Reach and the focus on "inside out design" which puts the residents of the buildings first. Examples of C.F Møller concept drawings were released by Swan, with clarification that these are tender drawings and do not necessarily represent how the final scheme will look.
Swan's Executive Director of Regeneration and Development, Geoff Pearce commented:
We were very impressed by their "inside out approach" to design. C.F.Møller really focused on the people who will live in these new homes and the relationship of the homes to the public realm. They were passionate about ensuring we deliver human scale street scenes and links into the landscape to offset the impact of the busy external environment, which is close to the Blackwall Tunnel. As a regeneration team, we felt strongly the C. F. Møller team would bring a fresh and positive approach to the next phase of Blackwall Reach and we are delighted to be able to continue and further develop the positive working relationship which has proved so productive in relation to their work for us on our regeneration of Laindon Shopping Centre.
Rolf Nielsen Associate Partner, Architect MAA ARB RIBA , C.F.Møller said:
We are exceptionally delighted to have been appointed as architects for this unique commission. Our approach to this challenging project is to develop an architectural and placemaking response with the focus on designing the best possible new homes within a challenging location. This complimented Swan's ambitious ideas for regenerating Blackwall Reach. Drawing on our experience of tailoring our design process around each project's unique circumstances we are looking forward to delivering an exceptional quality of architecture for the local community, The London Borough of Tower Hamlets and Swan.