100 BERESFORD AVENUE

Client: Woolbro Group

Nestled on a canal site in Brent, in the heart of the Alperton Road regeneration area, 100 Beresford Avenue is the latest London address signed by HWO architects for Woolbro Group.

Currently used as storage facility for the film industry, the land at 100 Beresford Avenue takes up a third of a hectare. The site is framed on four sides: the Grand Union Canal to the south, Beresford Avenue to the north, the Afrex House development to the west (31 units) and Berkeley Homes’ Northfields Estate of 2,900 units to the east. Yet, at HWO, we immediately felt there was an opportunity to respond to this context with a massing that reinforced both the building lines on Beresford Avenue and connected the Grand Union Canal to Beresford Avenue. By consolidating the emerging developments with a quality urban proposal, here lied an opportunity to redevelop a disused building into a significant piece of public realm.

‘The effects of the development on the neighbouring properties and the levels of natural light within the proposed units are acceptable in the context of the NPPF, Brent’s Local Plan and the BRE guidance’

Daylight & Sunlight Report

Lichfield

Inspired by the canal setting, the proposed buildings frame a planted pedestrian avenue affording views onto the canal. Oscillating between a London-factory look and extreme modernity, the proposed materials address the two different uses: deep grey coloured render and crittal-style doors for the commercial podium, delicate brick patterns and steel balconies for the residential above.

With 12,000 sqf of light industrial spaces for creative businesses and makers, the commercial element will bring life to the development. in fact our approach to the commercial space is to create flexible working environments. Workspaces can split into diffrent zones, each one dedicated to social, collaborative or individual activities. These zones are designed to promote better concentration, productivity, knowledge sharing and stronger collaborations. Indeed flexibility is paramount to create successful office fit-outs. High ceilings and clean structural frames with regularly laid out columns are important. These features allow number of different internal arrangements and users to bring life to ground floor commercial spaces. The form factor and

Client

Woolbro Group

Housing Association

Confidential

Procurement

Design & Build

Local Authority

LB Brent

Number of units 100

Planning Application

2020 depth of the units will bring exceptional natural light with floor to ceiling windows. These units will also benefit from access to a private courtyard and a dedicated cycle storage and facilities.

Already earmarked for a Joint-Venture development with a major housing association, the development will create 100 social-rent and shared owner-ship homes for Londoners. A planning application is due to be submitted end of April 2020.