D
THE VISION
“To enrich existing communities and create an innovative, sustainable and inclusive hub, bringing people closer to the docks and its heritage”
We have played around with a number of concepts for the site, initial ideas included creating a network of walkways across areas of the docks as a way to bring people closer to the site, as well as using the water as a base for building a community.
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Due to the site's proximity to London City Aiport, gathering within the flight path is prohibited as a safety risk, our idea was to use the Mills building as space in which people are able to gather.
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As a general theme for the site, we want to improve the levels of connectivity due to the water providing an obvious barrier. In addition to providing an adequate number of affordable houses to keep with local plan guidelines.
Key Design Objectives
STRATEGIES
Environmental
Sustainability must be considered from all standpoints by the NPPF, by focusing on finding new materials for construction and meeting design standards for housing we will make the site more sustainable.
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Maintaining natural habitats within the site or relocating them if necessary to accomodate species unique to the london's brownfield sites will be a priority to limit the impact of the development on the surrounding environment.
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Utilising the water on the site and bringing it closer to the people through the concept of floating villages will help to deliver on our vision and maintain the open feel of the space.
Economic
Our aim is to deliver our vision for the site as best as possible without compromising of design without compromising budget for community and affordable housing.
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Being able to innovate on building typologies will create a unique place that is also viable.
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The attractive nature of the area gives large scope for investment and there is demand for work space and high end accomodation on site.
Social
Our proposals are more weighted in favor of the local community, through creating local jobs for local people we hope to provide a future for both new and existing residents.
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We will implement facilities needed already on the site such as community centers transforming the Mill into a hub for the surrounding areas that works with existing community groups.
Proposals
Millennium Mills
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For the Millenium Mills building, we will maintain as much as the original character and historical features as possible as a gesture to the building and areas past.
It will be mixed-use due to the large scale of the building, this will include residential, retail, community and commercial. This will hopefully make the building a into a destination that is used throughout the day and night promoting interaction between the people and facilities.
Floating Village
As a way to bring the people closer to the water, we decided to use the concept of an urban village here to best fit the difficult but unique space. IJburg is part of our inspiration as is the previously proposed scheme at the Victoria Dock. we believe that the concept could not only be used in the docks but also be very successful, meeting many or aims and combatting the specific issues of the site.
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Improved Connectivity
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The red line across the water represents the only crossing point, however, the south side of the site there is an outcrop of water, this is where the planned floating village is going to be located.
There are 3 green lines, these are planned crossing points that will wind through the floating village as a way to provide a walking path for people and their dogs.
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Around the water and through the site there will be improved routes for pedestrians and cyclists to get between the various DLR stations the Mills site and other spaces.
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