Client
Vittoria Partnership
Sector
Residential
Services
Architecture
Structural Engineering
Services Engineering
Planning Consultancy
Plantain Place was a project that lay close to home – very literally. We took on the challenge of designing two apartments above one of our former studios, which would be privately let to tenants in the bustling London Bridge area. The studio was situated in Victorian buildings which had once been used as warehouses, and which faced each other across a narrow street, creating obvious difficulties in terms of natural light and privacy.
London is a tightly packed city, and it’s essential with any development to balance the interests of multiple residents, neighbours, visitors, workers and communities. Consultation with neighbouring property owners was a key part of our approach, informing the design as it developed.
This design development was where Corde’s approach really came into its own. By working collaboratively from the project outset, we were able to see solutions which other, more disparate teams might not have spotted until much later – with huge improvements for efficiency. We were also able to tackle the challenge of the tight street using a combined architectural and engineering solution, which helped bring as much light as possible into the apartments while avoiding overlooking from one side to the other.
The project is proof that a small and complex site is no obstacle to designing exceptional living spaces when teams work together. Our architects, engineers and interior designers were able to increase the value of the original investment by 20%, using a wide range of innovations to improve efficiency. The result is a pair of excellent places to live in the heart of London, with a subtle rooftop design that complements the surrounding area.
