Published on
June 29, 2018
The Royal Institute for British Architects (RIBA) has recognised Battersea Power Station’s Faraday House and St. James’ Riverlight developments in Nine Elms for their RIBA London Awards 2018.
Riverlight, completed in 2015 and designed by Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners and EPR Architects, is right along Nine Elms Lane in the heart of the regeneration area. The philosophy of the design can be deduced from the name: the dense housing fingers cleverly manipulate their mass and layout to offer daylight and river views to all residents. Likewise, they maintain an open visage for the public who want to access the river and Thameside setting. The architecture allows for users of Nine Elms Lane to access the river and houses a number of cafes and restaurants along the banks.
Woven between the six towers are islands of greenery and water features (including the SkyStation sculpture by Peter Newman) to provide contemplation zones and soothing acoustics.
The RIBA noted the development’s “structural members bring dexterity and lightness to the long facades and allow a reading of the buildings forces from ground props to the switched structure of the gull wing roofs. Colour brings further vibrancy to elevations of double storey expressive concrete, diagonal steels and lightweight balconies.” The canted balconies and coloured towers are unique to the area and offer a distinctive identity to the space.
Sea Island Coffee House at Riverlight
In a nod to its surroundings, the design of the towers shortens on the west side as a recognition of the monolithic Battersea Power Station further along the river.
The RIBA London Awards 2018 also recognised Battersea Power Station for their Faraday House, designed by architects dRMM.
The association commends the development’s form, use of materials and typological arrangement, considering the plot is sandwiched between a courtyard and railway landscape. The roof terraces adjoined bo the units on the top floors offer incredible views of the capital while the core of the buildings shift in terms of elevation for optimal views of the river.
Photo courtesy of drMM http://drmm.co.uk/
Photo courtesy of drMM http://drmm.co.uk/
Photo courtesy of drMM http://drmm.co.uk/
The building is covered in a copper cladding that brings a warm glow and reflects light onto its surroundings. The RIBA describes the building as, “An architecture of experience and movement this complex arrangement of homes is typologically sound and successfully finds a balance between circulation experience, unit distribution, perimeter definition and material identity.”
To enjoy both these award-winning buildings in all their glory alongside the red carpet of starchitecture in Nine Elms, come by for a visit.
