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NEO Bankside, London SE1

Quality of the detailing and construction

Credit: Edmund Sumner

Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners for GC Bankside LLP 

Construction cost: £132m.

GIA: 42,000m2

This is a high-density private housing development on prime real estate, but standing in the beautifully landscaped gardens at the base of these four towers it is hard to believe you are surrounded by 120 flats. The awkward triangular site has been opened up with a series of views and ground-level routes through a semi-public garden.

  • Credit: Edmund Sumner
  • Credit: Edmund Sumner
  • Credit: Edmund Sumner
  • Credit: Edmund Sumner
  • Credit: Edmund Sumner
  • Credit: Edmund Sumner
  • Credit: Edmund Sumner
  • Credit: Edmund Sumner
  • Credit: Edmund Sumner
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There are very few overlooking problems while the exoskeletal structure allows an extraordinary variety of floor plans. The urban design solution and massing is ingenious, both in meeting the myriad statutory and performance requirements, and in how the impact of such density is skilfully concealed: the buildings retain a human scale close up at ground level. 

These buildings are successful across the scales; single glazed large triangular winter gardens dematerialise the ends of the blocks from a distance, while the triple-height structural module reduces their perceived height. The jury was struck by the quality of the detailing and construction on this design-build project.


See other winners in the RIBA Regional Awards 2015 – London

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