Westminster Bridge Road – Residential Projects – Allford Hall Monaghan Morris

#atrium

#white

#reception

#art

As another component in the regeneration of London Waterloo, Westminster Bridge Road replaces a redundant 1960s office block with a lively mixed-use, multi-layered city-sandwich. A stacked rhythm of solid bands and linear apertures accentuates the given curve of the site, at once disguising the volume of windows and maximising panoramic views of the London skyline. The bands are grouped in a triple-storey order that suggests the scale of the different programmes and then turned like Ray Eames’ Walnut Stool to create a subtle silhouette. Externally, the building’s height and massing are sensitively crafted according to statutorily protected views. Internally, the upper floors have been configured to reduce actual and perceived corridor length, while a central atrium on the lower levels brings light into the college and crowns a generous social space. The 38,500 (GIA) square metre scheme accommodates 1,100 student rooms (including double-height studios on the uppermost floors) with associated common spaces, a sixth-form college for 700 students spread over four floors, affordable workspace at ground and a health suite with swimming pool and leisure facilities on the lower level.