Vauxhall Bondway London : Architecture Information

The Octave, Vauxhall Bondway submitted for Planning 15 Jun 2009 Make has recently submitted a new landmark mixed use development, The Octave, for planning approval. Located on a brownfield site on Bondway in Vauxhall, the proposed 149m tall building supports the planned regeneration of the Vauxhall, Battersea and Nine Elms OAPF area and is within an area allocated for a potential cluster of new tall buildings in Vauxhall. image : Make The scheme will contain 10% employment use and 90% residential accommodation. The 376 new homes will provide 30% affordable and 70% private housing. A community floor at level 36 provides recreation, business and function spaces accessible to all residents. The employment area increases the current site provision and incorporates ground level amenity retail outlets along with three floors of subsidised start-up office accommodation. Biomass boilers provide 25% renewable energy consumption and contribute to a 30% overall reduction in carbon use, and a one in one hundred year (plus 30%) sustainable urban drainage system protects the local infrastructure. Located adjacent to the Vauxhall transport interchange, public and green methods of transport are encouraged and 25 car parking spaces, 22 motor cycle spaces and 568 bicycle spaces are provided. The building is divided into eight stepping forms that cascade from a central high point, down towards the north and south. Roof terraces incorporating planting boxes are arranged at the top of each building segment. The articulation of the building form reflects the scale of the residential uses as well as the tower as a whole, while also providing dual-aspect windows to every apartment. Generous wintergardens to almost all apartments create a flexible private amenity area, provide year-round access to outside space and along with the roof terraces and overall form, maximise the stunning city views available in all directions. image : Miller Hare The existing site environment is dominated by rail, underground, and road transport. Proposed public realm improvements acknowledge these vital systems and take measures to enhance the pedestrian experience. New landscaping will connect Bondway to Vauxhall Park, enhancements to adjacent routes through the railway viaduct will provide improved lighting and safety, a separate service route will ensure primary pedestrian areas remain clear and an increase in ground level public spaces allows seating and tree planting at the base of the building. The building will be a catalyst for the development of a new Vauxhall community. It will encourage new businesses, provide an improved public realm and create high quality homes for all. The Octave, Vauxhall Bondway - Project Team Make (Architect), Drivers Jonas LLP (Planning Consultant), Arup (SMEP), Richard Coleman Citydesigner (Townscape Consultant), Tropus and Spicer (Quantity Surveyor), David Bonnett Associates (Access Consultant), Guildhouse (Development Management and Appraisal Consultant), GVA Schutanowski Brooks (Daylight and Sunlight Consultant), Reef Associates (Maintenance and Access Consultants), Four Communications (Public Relations), Miller Hare (Visualisation) Vauxhall Bondway London images from Make