Wembley Student Accommodation, London, United Kingdom

CZWG's Wembley student housing passes planning consent kick starting regeneration
A £25m student accommodation project for Victoria Hall Ltd which was initially refused planning permission has passed on appeal and will soon join the landscape near London's Wembley Stadium.

“The proposed building is of an outstanding architectural and urban design quality,” said the inspector.

“It would create an attractive landmark enhancing the Stadium environs as well as the Capital” continues the report which upheld the recent planning appeal and granted consent.

435 student rooms will be provided on a 0.32 hectare site at the edge of the regeneration area around the new Stadium, near the entrance to Wembley Park Station.

The building is planned as three wings around a central tower which steps and spirals up to 20 storeys. The wings are differing heights responding to neighbouring lower and higher residential and commercial buildings and an adjacent amenity space.

The facades of the two wings that face south are to be partly clad in photovoltaics, their dark colour contrasting with the silver grey of the other metal cladding panels. The windows which are set in a diagonal pattern across the facades are recessed in chamfered reveals to increase their visual scale and depth. Active frontages to the street include a spectacular double height central entrance, a launderette, management offices and extensive bicycle parking. There are two landscaped amenity areas, the one to the west is intended for gatherings, the other which adjoins and visually extends the neighbouring residents garden will be reserved for quieter uses.

The scheme had the recommendation of Brent Council officers and the support of the GLA but was turned down by councillors. The inspectors report and consent is the result of the subsequent public inquiry (enclosed). Piers Gough of CZWG said, “We are very happy for our client who had backed good design over expediency to resolve the issues on this key site”.

The building will be on site in late 2009 and completed by mid 2011, acting as one of the first properties to kickstart the regeneration.source: www.worldarchitecturenews.com
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