Maccreanor Lavington’s design for a new student accommodation building for Alumno Group has been awarded planning permission.
The scheme sits on a challenging vacant triangle of land at the junction of Rockingham and Tiverton Street and includes three of the adjacent railway viaduct arches in the London Borough of Southwark. It is hoped that the brownfield constrained site will help optimise the wider housing delivery targets in the borough.
The proposed block will provide up to 244 student bedrooms over 24-storeys with two staircases and 67 sqm of commercial spaces at ground floor level. The single tower has a slim profile, incorporating high quality materials and low-level green walling, which would have a positive effect on the surrounding properties’ outlook.
The first, second and third floor levels are a larger footprint than the ground and mezzanine levels, cantilevering beyond the two base storeys on the southwest and northwest frontages.
The 19 uppermost storeys are a larger still, cantilevering beyond the base five storeys on the southern corner and along the east (Low Line) frontage.
Glazed brick frontages are provided at ground and mezzanine levels. The upper 22 storeys clad predominantly in vertically bonded red brickwork, complemented by white brickwork.
Windows and doors are framed in bronze-effect metal. A key component of the design is utilising the existing railway arches to provide a new passageway – a dynamic, accessible, safe, and permeable route through the site which acts as an extension of the Low Line, connecting with wider pedestrian connections and existing routes within the area.
There is also an emerging Arts Commissioning Plan to accompany the enhancement of the public realm. Plans for public poetry and drawings commissions. to connect local cultural history along a new section of walking route, engage local people and showcase new artistic talent.
The passageway is formed on one side by the new student housing building fronted by student entrance areas, communal spaces, and ‘kiosk’ spaces, and on the other by reinvigorated existing railway arches housing another ‘kiosk’, bicycle storage and ancillary spaces.
Maccreanor Lavington founding director, Gerard Maccreanor commented:
“Despite the constrained site, Rockingham Street will play a part in activating the Low Line, the new walking destination running the length of the Victorian rail viaducts that span Bankside, London Bridge and Bermondsey. It’s aims is to provide engaging and well-lit public space along the ground floor level – a lively alleyway reminiscent of the fascinating hidden and unexpected passages of London.”
Alumno managing director David Campbell said:
“We’re delighted to have been given the go-ahead to develop this project on the corner of Southwark’s Rockingham Street and Tiverton Street, next to the railway viaduct. It will help meet the demand for student accommodation in the area, while freeing up housing for local people. We’re looking forward to working in the borough again to provide a building of the highest quality.”