The 2.8 hectare development is sited on part of the former Grand Surrey Canal which historically ran along the western boundary of the site in a north-south direction. In recognition of this, the industrial and dock heritage of the local area is threaded through the architectural designs of three distinct but complementary neighbourhoods which will make up Marine Wharf: the Grand Surrey Park, Store Street and the Baltic Basin.
GRID Architects’ designs for the new buildings running alongside the Grand Surrey Park are reminiscent of the former dock buildings and pitched-roof warehouses that lined the canal. Overhanging balconies - with some cantilevering way out over the park - echo the canal-side loading gantries.
The area along and around Store Street makes reference to the back streets behind the former dock wharves, with varying building heights, mixed brick types, and balconies of differing colours to provide variety across the scheme. For the Baltic Basin area, residential buildings sit on commercial podiums which are highly glazed. These allow views through into the public space and park.
The linear Grand Surrey Park on the western side of the development has been conceived as an echo of the site’s former use, reinterpreting the canal as a soft landscaped channel with a footpath running along the route of the old tow path. Timber platforms ‘float’ within the channel, and will provide the space for dedicated play areas. These mimic the barges that formerly delivered timber to the wharves along the canal but now will provide amenity space, seating areas and play spaces.
No comments:
Post a Comment