Plans have been submitted for a 23-storey building comprising of 424 PBSA study studio rooms with ample student amenity spaces and facilities, cycle parking and servicing arrangements in Southall, London Borough of Ealing, on behalf of Tide Construction. As well as public realm improvements along the frontage of the scheme.
The site is located in Southall on the corner of The Green, South Road and Hortus Road. Additionally, the site is within the Southall Opportunity Area Planning Framework, and falls on the boundary between the Gateway Character Area and The Green Character Area – both are designated as areas for major housing growth in the London Plan.
The lower floors are given over to large communal amenity spaces of various characters and uses. The upper floors contain student accommodation. A transfer structure mediates between these 2 differing spatial arrangements.
This transfer structure between the base and middle comprises of a grid of windows, each with a different rhythm. Maintaining consistent tone/ colour from top to bottom helps give the building a slimmer and a more vertical proportion.
The site is surrounded by a number of emerging developments. With many recently completed or are currently under construction. The height of the building equates to that of the emerging context of Merrick Place.
At lower floors, the building steps out to provide a parallel edge to Hortus Road. The lower 2.5 stories relate closely to the 2.5 storey semi-detached and terraced buildings on the road. The proposal then continues from the typical floor plan to the top, expressing the pure, symmetrical form of plan.
Furthermore, the plan rotates the massing away from the sensitive adjacencies on Hortus Road and addresses the key views and primary facades.
Using modern methods of construction (MMC) will result in superior standards in quality, sustainability, regulatory compliance, health and safety and speed. Additionally, reducing the CO2 emissions associated with construction and operations of the building by up to 45%.
This volumetric construction will help reduce waste – 80% less onsite waste and reduces traffic with 80% less vehicle movements to site. This cladding is to be lightweight, reducing the foundation size and basement structure. The repeating typical floor plan increases the ability to implement modular and unitised systems.
A range of sustainable design features are proposed and construction will be responsibly managed to ensure minimal impact on the environment and the local community. This includes minimising material complexity of the design and building form. Reductions in embodied carbon through material reduction in superstructure and sensible material selection. Modular construction techniques to be utilised, increasing building efficiency, quality and reducing waste.
The extent of active frontage is stretched along the area between The Green and the proposal, creating a more inviting and functional public space. This will increase the natural surveillance of the public realm – further increasing the safeness of the area as students are likely to use these shared spaces at all hours of the day.
The development’s integration of well-designed common areas, including lounges, workspaces, and external terraces will foster a vibrant and supportive environment for students. These spaces will act as both a community for students but also help to activate the streetscape.