For the redevelopment strategy for South Kilburn, Alison Brooks Architects have collaborated with Lifschutz Davidson Sandilands to design better homes, in a more sustainable environment, for the existing and future residents. About a year ago, we shared the firms’ vision for Ely Court, a collection of three varied typologies that line a ‘spine’ of shared surfaces – play areas, gardens and public and private spaces – along Cambridge Avenue. Now, the duo has been granted approval for a new residential quarter of Mansion blocks which frame private communal gardens in the spirit of neighboring Maida Vale. ”We are really pleased that we are continuing to help Brent transform South Kilburn from an isolated Estate into a familiar and desirable residential neighbourhood. Our team’s scheme is as much about re-creating great streets as providing great family homes,” explained Brooks.
More about the project after the break.
Guided by the visions for the masterplan, the project will work to reinstate the historic Victorian street pattern of South Kilburn with dynamic, outward facing street frontages and frequent ground level entrances. The project will bring more of a “domestic-scale” to the neighborhood, as the existing monolithic towers will be replaced by six and seven-storey buildings animated with bay windows, balconies, dormers and sloping roofs.
At the urban level, the project seeks to re-establish the pedestrian route between Kilburn Park Road and Stafford Road, with a new boulevard and civic square at Kilburn Park Road. By allowing the housing block to become more porous, the scheme will strengthen the neighborhood’s connections to the wider community.
For the east terrace, ABA has set the building back 12m to offer a 120m long, 7m deep landscaped forecourt and double row of street trees to soften this major Kilburn thoroughfare. As a modern interpretation of the mansion typology, window boxes mark communal entrances and the upper floors of the buildings slope back to form an extended mansard roof, punctuated with incised and projecting dormers.
In plan, the south ‘gateway’ building employs a distinct leaf-shaped geometry, in response to the complex junction of major roads. The faceted plan provides the opportunity to develop landscaped ‘niches’ at ground level.
Brooks added, “This has provided a rare opportunity for our team to provide grand residential architecture, a spectacular communal garden, treed boulevards and a new public square. We hope this scheme will set a new standard for housing as sustainable, integrated urban design.”
