Lambeth (Parliament Politics Magazine) – HB Reavis has submitted plans to replace a vacant Edwardian office near Waterloo, Lambeth, with a 17-storey student housing tower after two rounds of public consultation.
The 10 Leake Street PBSA plan, created by PLP Architecture, would provide 233 student rooms. Prior to filing the planning application, HB Reavis presented the proposal in May of this year.
According to the plans, the underutilized location would be converted into a first-rate PBSA with reasonably priced rooms on the premises.
A variety of student residences, including studios and ensuites, will be available in the new structure, along with floor-by-floor amenities. Five percent of the units will be completely accessible, and the remaining five percent can be modified to accommodate future accessibility requirements. All of the residences will be built to contemporary standards.
Intimate retreat areas, communal lounges, common kitchens, and 176 safe bike parking spots are also included in the proposals to promote social interaction and improve student welfare.
In order to support sustainable lifestyles, the building aims for BREEAM Excellent and will include low-carbon technologies, renewable energy systems, and top-notch bike infrastructure.
By fusing residential, social, and cultural components into a cohesive, dynamic ecosystem, the design captures the expressive nature of its surroundings. The suggestions were influenced by input received throughout the consultation, with locals and community stakeholders highlighting the significance of preserving Leake Street’s unique character, guaranteeing student affordability, and controlling noise and maintenance.
The project would provide much-needed student housing and dynamic ground floor spaces to revitalize Leake Street, Lambeth, which is 50 meters from Waterloo Station.
The new site is situated right across from Grimshaw’s Stirling Prize-winning Waterloo International platforms in a section of Lambeth designated for regeneration. It is the perfect place for student housing because of its close proximity to important universities and first-rate public transportation connections.
The project team for 10 Leake Street consists of Semper, Momentum Transport Consultancy for transportation, GDM Group for MEP, Robert Bird for buildings, and The Townscape Consultancy for townscape and fire safety.
The plan is the most recent iteration of a plan that dates back more than ten years. The BPTW affordable housing plan for HB Reavis was approved in 2014 but never put into action, and it was replaced by the PLP’s most recent plans.
The 1906-completed structure would have been renovated beneath its facade and expanded upward by three stories as part of BPTW’s initial plans for 10 Leake Street. In its most recent proposal for the site, HB Reavis stated that modernizing or renovating the structure to satisfy contemporary safety or sustainability requirements was not feasible.
What are the key design features intended to ensure sustainability in the PBSA?
The building aims to be energy efficient through design and use of low-carbon renewable technologies such as solar panels and energy management systems to minimize operational carbon emissions. Intelligent energy management systems can remotely control heating to reduce waste and lower running costs significantly.
Usage of sustainable, low-embodied-carbon materials and construction techniques aims to reduce environmental impact. Efforts include incorporating green building principles such as optimizing natural light and maximizing insulation.
Facilities are designed to promote waste reduction and recycling, encouraging students to participate in sustainability practices through accessible waste/recycling areas.