West Silvertown Development

WEST SILVERTOWN DEVELOPMENT DESIGN REPORT

Sruthy Menon

UNIVERSITY OF WESTMINSTER

MA URBAN DESIGN

April 2024

SECTION 01: DESIGN INFLUENCES

1.1 Location Study

1.2 Site Context

1.3 Constraints and Opportunities

1.4 Planning Policy Study

1.5 Urban Components Study

SECTION 02: DESIGN DEVELOPMENT

2.1 Vision and Key Concepts

2.2 Design Evolution

2.3 Framework Plan

2.4 Illustrative Master Plan

SECTION 03: DESIGN CHARACTERISTICS

3.1 Character Areas

3.1.a Residential Hub

3.1.b Employability Hub

3.1.c Mixed Use Hub

3.2 Design Principles

3.2.a Building Heights

3.2.b Sections

3.3 Urban Morphology

3.3.a Block Typology

3.3.b Street Typology

3.3.c Open Space Typology

SECTION 04: CONCLUSION: ASSET TO ASSET CONNECTIVITY

SECTION 01

1.1 LOCATION STUDY

Originally renowned for its docklands and industrial factories, West Silvertown has undergone significant transformations over the years, from an industrial hub to a neighbourhood seeking urban renewal. As London's urban fabric continues to evolve, West Silvertown is one of the top contenders in the list of opportunity areas in the city. The legacy of its industrial heritage with contemporary aspirations of sustainability, connectivity and community, the site has immense opportunities to develop on. The Site's proximity to Canary Wharf, the financial hub of London, and the Central City of London allow for a connection to global markets and opportunities. This makes the site an attractive destination for investment and growth. Moreover, its position along the Thames River creates opportunities for unique waterfront developments, creating spaces for recreation, commerce and living.

In this context, the exploration of West Silvertown as a site for urban development transcends mere physical transformation; it represents a journey of renewal, innovation, and community empowerment. By harnessing its inherent strengths and addressing its challenges, West Silvertown has the potential to emerge as a beacon of urban excellence, enriching the fabric of London’s diverse urban landscape and inspiring cities worldwide.

Fig. 01 Location Map

1.2 SITE CONTEXT

LEGEND

Primary Roads Secondary Roads Bus Stop DLR Cable Car

Enveloped by River Thames on the Southern side and the North Woolwich Road on the Northern side, West Silvertown is a promising canvas for Urban Development, with scope to redefine its landscape and narrative in the heart of East London. Historically rooted in the Industrial era, the site has a strategic location, rich heritage and untapped waterfront resources, creating opportunities for an ambitious Urban Development Project. The strategic locations of existing and proposed DLR Tube Stations and the development of the West Silvertown Tunnel, makes the connectivity of the site to the city very strong.

Fig. 02 Context Map

Fig. 03-04 Neighbouring Buildings

Fig. 05-06 Neighbouring Roads

07 Constraints and Opportunities Map

Constraints

The site is juxtaposing the major motorway, which creates a noise of greater than 75 decibels, which will be a hinderance to a quiet residential hub.

The green spaces in the immediate surroundings are broken and do not have connectivity.

Opportunities

Opportunity of creating an unhindered waterfront access with views towards the river.

Strategic entry points from the two DLR stops and the high street under the motorway.

Strategic positioning of town centres based on Planning Policies

Convivial views from the Greenwich Peninsula

Location of Industrial Landmark

Fig.

1.4 PLANNING POLICIES

The Newham Local Plan demonstrates the lack of District and Local Parks in the site. This acts as an important influence in the placement, scale and design of open green spaces in the site. A District park is placed in the south eastern part of the site, and pocket parks are more widely placed in the north western part of the site.

The Newham local planning documents also suggests three strategic locations for town centres. The placement is ideally equidistant along the length of the site.

The provision of Employability Hub in the landuse planning for the site inspires the strategic positioning of the Employability hub and the scale of it.

The Newham Local Plan also suggests a 35% of housing to be affordable housing. This is also achieved by positioning the mid rise apartments towards the road and away from the waterfront, but with same amenities.

Fig. 08-09 Deficiency of Distric Parks and Local Parks in West Silvertown

Fig. 10 Strategic Placement of Town Centres

Fig. 11 Strategic Placement of Town Centres

1.6 URBAN COMPONENTS ANALYSIS

London City Island in Leamouth Peninsula - A neighbouring development with similar building heights and uses was studied to understand the plot ratio and building densities for tall buildings.

Fig. 12 View of Leamouth Peninsula (Google Earth)

Fig. 13 Plan of Leamouth Peninsula

Fig. 15 Dimensions of the buildings studied

Fig. 16 Section of Bridgewater House

Fig. 17 Section of Albion House

Fig. 14 Site Sections

SECTION 02

2.1 VISION AND KEY PRINCIPLES

Fig. 18 Vision - A photo montage of the vision for the Site VISION:

“Stitching together an interlinked urban fabric of dynamic destinations”

The vision is to create West Silvertown into a vibrant urban landscape, seamlessly blending a network of dynamic destinations that include high end retail, F&B, ecology parks, woodland walks and waterfront recreation. This development will not only provide a place to work and live, but also inspire a thriving community where every step leads to a new destination.

Fig. 19 Key Design Principles - Connecting Destinations

The main aim was to create destinations that cater to and interest majority of the demographic. The Recreational Zone activates the space with various users by providing places for play and relaxation. Ecology is one of the unique selling points of the site, with a green woodland ecology integrated along the green buffer with the district park. The waterfront is the major asset which is connected along with the other assets by a pedestrian loop.

2.2 DESIGN EVOLUTION

The intent to create a green buffer between the development and the road tackles the constraint of the noise pollution from the road. The development of an unhindered waterfront also taps on the under utilised views. There is a link created between these two assets.

The creation of the two green links lead to the development of three distinct areas with distinct characters. The northern part of site which is a corner plot with views towards canary wharf is designed into a mixed use retail development with luxury apartments in the floors above. The residential hub is in the geometric centre of the site, making it accessible to both the retail and employability hub. The Employability hub is strategically placed near the DLR station. To not create dead spaces, the activities are merged along the edges.

The main intent is to make most of the site pedestrian friendly. Hence the concept of ‘Full loop for pedestrians and Half loop for vehicles arises’. The full loop is designed to go around the site and connect all the open space assets. The half loops allows the buses and cars to connect the site with the main motorway.

Fig. 20 - 22 Concept Diagrams

2.3 FRAMEWORK PLAN

Fig. 23 Framework Plan conveying Landuse

Residential Mixed Use Light Industrial Open Green Waterfront

The location of the mixed use - high end retail, fnb and luxury apartments on the north western side of the plot is due to the views the corner plot gets towards Canary Wharf and the Leamouth Peninsula. The residential units, mostly the affordable housing units are located towards the green buffer, with backyards of the semi-detached houses facing the open green buffer, ehich creates an interesting mix of private and public open spaces. The commercial (office& light industrial) buildings are located near the locally listed sugar mill. There are three rown centres as suggested in the Newham Local Plan, one for each hub.

2.4 ILLUSTRATIVE MASTERPLAN

Fig. 24 Indicative Masterplan

SECTION 03

3.1 CHARACTER AREAS

3.1.a Mixed Use Hub

Fig. 25 Main Landmark Building

Fig. 26 Waterfront Activities with kiosks and active retail

Fig. 27 Plaza integrated with the Green Buffer

Fig. 25 Play Area integrated with Green Buffer

3.1 CHARACTER AREAS

3.1.b Residential Hub

Fig. 28 Character of Streets

Fig. 29 Character of Buildings link to open space

Fig. 30 Character of Open Space

Fig. 31 Architectural Character

3.1 CHARACTER AREAS

3.1.b Employability Hub

Fig. 32 Character of Public Courtyards

Fig. 33 Character of Open Space to Building link

Fig. 34 Architectural Character

Fig. 35 Open Space to Woodland Character

3.2 DESIGN FEATURES

3.2.a Building Heights

36 Diagramatic Representation of Building Heights

Fig.

3.2 DESIGN FEATURES

3.2.b Site Sections

Fig. 37-38 Site Sections with Precedents for Character Areas

3.2 DESIGN FEATURES

3.2.c Urban Morphology

BUILDING TYPOLOGY

Fig. 39-42 Building Typology Details

STREET TYPOLOGY

The Roads are categorised into primary, secondary and tertiary. The width of the road overall is constant, while width of carriage way and pedestrians keep varying depending on use. The Primary roads are the only part of network that Buses can access. Secondary roads can be accessed by drop off Cars, while tertiary roads are fully pedestrianised.

OPEN SPACE TYPOLOGY

Fig. 43 Street Typology Displaying Charactrer

Fig. 44 Open Green Space Typologies

4.1 ASSET TO ASSET CONNECTIVITY

“Stitching together an interlinked urban fabric of dynamic destinations” will only be sucessful if the network connect it to each other and the surrounding is efficient. The connecting network was designed with an approach of “Asset to Asset” where there is a safe, accessible pedestrian pathway connecting all the assets of the site together.

Fig. 45 Asset to Asset Connectivity

REFERENCES:

https://www.behance.net/gallery/94492629/MULTIFUNCTIONAL-COMPLEX-IN-MINSK

http://swamplot.com/new-mod-downtown-highrise-hotel-alessandra-will-slam-dunk-formeryao-ming-spot-at-greenstreet/2014-03-26/

https://www.dezeen.com/2023/03/28/foster-partners-seafront-larnaca-cyprus/

https://www.designboom.com/architecture/kuu-train-inn-shanghai-china-09-06-2014/

https://archimatika.com/en/projects/fayna-town

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