INSPIRATION IN MID-RISE
Inspired development can be done, we know it. Mid-rise housing, small floor-plate offices and shops, interesting public spaces...these are happening all over London, creating new, vibrant parts of our great city. We have a few examples to the right, areas that we think can be enhanced by their development, rather than destroyed by overreach.
We agree with many of the proposals in Housing London: A Mid-Rise Solution, on why mid-rise makes sense as an approach to density in London. The Goodysyard site is a perfect location for a mid-rise (5-8 story) development of an an existing brownfield site.
One of London’ s great architectural legacies is the mid-rise residential building, like the mansion blocks of Maida Vale or the converted Victorian houses of Sloane Square. It provides much needed density and is adaptable to a variety of residential needs.
Mid-rise residential developments offer a range of benefits because of their relationship to the street as an inclusive location for both residential and commercial spaces - encouraging walkability, diversity of amenities and vibrancy of place.
Mid-rise developments are easier to build and require less specialization - opening up the housing supply market to a greater variety of builders.
Mid-rise housing can be built using more ecologically-friendly, locally-sourced materials, especially in contrast to glass and steel high-rises.