Development by Jestico + Whiles in London, England

29 Oct 2009 Wilton Plaza now Complete A bold mixed-use building by Jestico + Whiles for Land Securities is now complete. This sustainable building provides a wide variety of housing types in an enviable central location in Victoria, London. It provides 111 apartments and 157 student bedrooms. A restaurant and shops occupy the ground floor and a raised podium conceals car parking and creates communal courtyard gardens. Located on a prominent central London corner site, in the heart of Victoria, this residential led project emphasises quality, social inclusion and sustainability. It demonstrates the achievement of designing pure mixed-use living in a core central location. photos © Tim Crocker Wilton Plaza, designed by architects Jestico + Whiles, follows its immediate street edge with prominent elevations on Wilton Road (11 levels) and Gillingham Street (9 levels). The introduction of a taller, slender glazed form at the junction of Wilton Road and Gillingham Street mediates between these two heights. The glazed art element at this junction has become the canvas for one of London’s largest art glass installations. Designed by Kate Maestri, this artwork complements the white terracotta tiles and copper cladding of the external façade. The design is deliberately set back from the site boundary, establishing a small public plaza at ground level, which brings a sense of civic focus along the streetscape. The application of colour is intended to create a sense of rhythm and movement, whilst acting as a public realm visual marker. It is a visible signature for the corner of the development, whilst strengthening the link with pedestrians at street level. Design The rhythms established by the external envelope are the result purely of urban design drivers rather than tenure and ownership. There is no reduction in quality of facing materials or design where the accommodation changes from private, to affordable, to student use. Lively retail units are introduced at ground level to bring vitality and life to the urban streetscape. These units are inset at ground level to ease the congested footpaths, and encourage restaurant and cafe activity. A simple palette of materials includes a pre-oxidised copper standing-seam sheeting complemented by a honed white terracotta-clay rainscreen. photos © Tim Crocker Wilton Plaza - Building Information Client: Land Securities Architect: Jestico + Whiles Structural Engineer: Adams Kara Taylor Services Engineer: Troup Bywaters + Anders Landscape Architect: Hyland Edgar Driver Planning Consultant: Jones Lang LaSalle Fire Engineer: Safe Cost & Project Consultant: EC Harris Construction Manager: MACE Acoustic Consultant: Hann Tucker Environmental Consultants: Faber Maunsell, WSP Environmental Transport Consultant: Steer Davies Gleave Highway Engineer: Pell Frischmann Party Wall Consultant: Gordon Ingram Associates Art Consultant: The Davidson Arts Partnership Artist: Kate Maestri Photographer: Tim Crocker Public Relations: Four Communications Student Accommodation: University College London Affordable Housing Group: A2Dominion Photographer Tim Crocker