Building upon the success of the first two phases, the southern side of Kings Crescent Estate completes the overall masterplan, delivering 393 mixed-tenure homes across a mix of new and refurbished buildings with landscaped spaces and important social and civic infrastructure woven throughout the scheme.
Five new buildings which vary in scale between 6 and 11-storeys are combined with refurbished postwar estate buildings around a series of landscaped communal courtyards and dynamic play spaces. To unify these elements, our design creates a coherent network of pedestrianised streets and pathways which provide clear routes around the project and extend out to link with the wider urban neighbourhood.
An 11-storey building housing a community centre is the civic focal point of phases 3&4 and addresses a generous public square featuring a range of games areas and planting. This shared space complements the adjacent playstreet, and was created in response to requests from residents for more areas for sports and socialising across the estate. Greenery extends through each public space and pathway to improve local ecology and the wellbeing of the community.
Across the project, regular breaks and openings between new and refurbished buildings allow light to flood public spaces and create townscape views that are enhanced by the layering of different facades and a mixed material palette that reflects the local context. Buildings are articulated with a clear sense of front and back, with a language of balconies and galleries creating a distinct new architectural character and providing enhanced communal and private amenity space for dwellings.
As in phases 1&2, retained 1960s council homes have been carefully refurbished with double-height balconies and spacious front and back gardens. Improvements and extensions to communal entrances create a clearer and safer sense of arrival into homes. Ground floor garages along Green Lanes are converted into workspaces and retail spaces that with new additions will actively support civic life and fulfil the longstanding ambition of integrating the estate back into the fabric of the city.