Abbotts Wharf

Character

The public piazza which leads to the marina coupled with café and commercial units create an inclusive community in Abbotts Wharf. The blocks positioned perpendicular to the waterside and the irregularly spaced balconies, provide views to the canal and to London. Random coloured panels create interest in the façade and balconies cut into the angled corners at the centre of the scheme, which draw attention to the promenade leading to the water. The blocks are located around public spaces which give the individual blocks a sense of identity and character.

Ground floor apartments are raised on plinths one metre above street level providing privacy above eye level. Public access works easily across the logical routes on site. Differing heights of the blocks and location in relation to the canal make the site easy to navigate.

Roads, parking and pedestrianisation

Road access is limited to a single vehicular site entrance keeping road surface to a minimum on the site.

The change in level across the site is used to its full potential to accommodate an underground car park. The car park is well lit and cycle racks are also available on the underground level, helping to reduce vehicle movement on the ground level and freeing space for public squares.

There is good integration with the existing towpath and from the main road into the marina. Pedestrian and cycle paths give good access the site and to courtyards, which are well overlooked and safe.

Design and construction

The close location of the canal is used to its full potential, defining the site edge and filtering into the piazza, providing interest in marina moorings and fusing the tree-lined promenade with the waterside. A palette of materials are used in the hard landscaping - including concrete cobbles, hard paving and timber boarding - which helps distinguish the piazza from the canalside. Public spaces are managed under contract as part of a service charge.

The development satisfies all of the statutory requirements and a rating of 'good' was achieved under Eco Homes.

A lightweight, hybrid steel and concrete frame and prefabricated bathroom pods and frameless glass balconies allowed for a shorter build time. Internal walls are non-load bearing so conversion is possible although limited to unit size. Maisonettes in the Western block have more potential for alterations.

Environment and community

The units make use of high efficiency boilers and external wall cavities are highly insulated to reduce environmental impact.

The site is close to a bus route and a few minutes walk from three Dockland's Light Railway stations and an Underground station.

A substantial area has been dedicated to public space on the 0.61 hectare site. There is a strong emphasis on the integration of community within the scheme and the wider locality. The continuity in design throughout all types of tenure units reduces zoning across the development, whilst still incorporating a good mix of market sale, affordable rent, intermediate rent and shared ownership required to meet planning requirements.