The detailed planning application, submitted in April, would create a new residential quarter with buildings ranging from six to 16 storeys, plus a health centre, commercial facilities and more than 10,000m2 of open space.
Drawn up for housing association L&Q, the project would fill in four plots on the former Kodak factory site, where L&Q and BPTW have already delivered 246 affordable homes as Phase 1 of the developer’s Harrow View East masterplan.
Jestico + Whiles has designed four blocks intersected by a network of pedestrian and cycle routes. Each block combines industrial-inspired lower buildings, mansion-style mid-rise buildings and higher, gridded towers, sited along the ‘Green Link’ route through the wider masterplan.
Once home to the first Kodak factory to be built outside the USA, the site near Wealdstone Town Centre has been the focus of several development schemes over the past ten years. To the north and north-west of the site, a 2,000-home development is under way, masterplanned by Pollard Thomas Edwards working with Piercy&Company, East and Makower Architects.
The L&Q masterplan sits to the south-east, nearest to the town centre, and revolves around the retained chimney from the Kodak factory, a local landmark.
The Jestico + Whiles blocks make reference to the history of the site with London stock brickwork and ‘robust detailing’ that aims to ‘speak to the utilitarian character’ of early 20th century manufacturing architecture.
Details nod to the factory’s history. Parapets, entrances and balconies draw inspiration from photographic processes and the landscape design by Turkington Martin features ‘tactile and playful sculptures’ referencing camera shutters and apertures.
Jestico + Whiles associate Alex Luria said: ‘At a particularly challenging time for housing associations and developers across the capital, we are proud to be delivering much-needed homes within a rich and generous public realm.
‘Our designs build on the established masterplan principles, weaving in the themes of industry, photography and locality – along with a few sparks of joy – which will make the new Kodak neighbourhood both special to its location and a special place to live.’
A 1,350m2 healthcare centre would provide primary care facilities for the community, its position along Headstone Drive intended to establish a ‘civic presence within the emerging neighbourhood’.
A series of planted ‘garden streets’ across the masterplan, as well as communal courtyards within two of the plots, have been inspired by Harrow’s Metroland suburbs.
Angie Hooper, new business director at L&Q, said: ‘The proposals reflect a carefully considered design that responds to evolving building standards while meeting residents’ needs, delivering high-quality homes and public realm on this important gateway site.’
Jestico + Whiles submitted proposal for the former Kodak factory site in Harrow
Source: Jestico + Whiles