Aylesbury Estate, London Regeneration, Architecture, Southwark Housing Design

Aylesbury Estate, London

Residential Estate Regeneration Project, Southwark – design by Pollard Thomas Edwards architects

21 Nov 2012

Aylesbury Estate

Walworth, London

Design: Pollard Thomas Edwards architects (PTEa)

Green Light for next phase of Aylesbury Estate regeneration

Pollard Thomas Edwards architects (PTEa) has won consent for the latest phase of the regeneration of the Aylesbury Estate, one of the largest housing estates in Europe, from which Tony Blair famously made his first official speech as PM in 1997.

images © PTEa

PTEa is acting for L&Q, one of London’s leading housing associations, which won a developer competition launched by Southwark Council just one year ago.

Built in the 1960s and 70s, the Aylesbury Estate lies east of Walworth Road and north of Burgess Park, and is home to more than 7,500 people.

Over the next 20 years, Southwark Council plans to transform the estate into a stronger and more vibrant community, living in high-quality homes with great streets, parks and open spaces, and excellent public transport.

The latest phase, named Harvard Gardens, will create 147 high-quality homes for people on a range of incomes, with each home having its own garden, balcony or terrace. Children will be able to play safely in the scheme’s shared gardens and courtyards, with Harvard Gardens also being within easy reach of Burgess Park, an open space with a range of sports and play facilities.

In keeping with the local area, L&Q will use materials such as brick to create a traditional London streetscape. Green roofs will absorb rainwater and provide insulation, and will create a habitat for wildlife. Harvard Gardens will use sustainable energy from a hidden Combined Heat and Power unit, as well as using photovoltaic technology to convert sunlight into energy.

images © Area Landscape Architects / PTEa

Harvard Gardens’ 147 homes include 72 for outright sale and 75 affordable homes for local people, including 48 for social rent and 27 for shared ownership.

Andrew, Beharrell, Executive Director of Pollard Thomas Edwards architects, said:
“Harvard Gardens will extend the transformation of the Aylesbury Estate from the post-war pattern of repetitive and monolithic blocks into a distinctive piece of city, knitted in with the physical and historic fabric of the wider area. A range of apartment, duplex and house typologies includes the mews street shown here.”

Andy Rowland, L&Q’s Land & Projects Director, said:
“L&Q will create high-quality homes for people on a range of incomes on this part of the regenerated Aylesbury Estate. With Southwark Council, we will retain the area’s strong sense of community, benefiting existing residents and those who want to move there.”

Aylesbury Estate Walworth images / information from Pollard Thomas Edwards architects (PTEa)

Pollard Thomas Edwards architects

Location: Walworth, London, England, UK