Bere Architects London, England Buildings, English Design Studio, Projects News

bere:architects : Architecture

Contemporary British Architecture Practice, Europe: UK Design Studio Information

post updated 18 Apr 2021

bere:architects News

30 + 28 Nov 2012
River Thames Pier Design, London, England

image from architect practice
The practice has won planning for a floating Passivhaus scheme located close to the Savoy Hotel on the north bank of the River Thames in central London.

Savoy Pier: The World’s First Floating Passive House

30th November 2012 – Bere:architects are pleased to announce that one of the longest running projects in the office, our scheme for the new Savoy Pier has recently been awarded planning permission. The scheme which sits on the Victoria Embankment between Cleopatra’s Needle and Waterloo Bridge, has been designed to be sympathetic not only to the surrounding historic fabric but also to the environment.

The building has been designed to be low in scale, the cantilevered roof providing a protective shelter from rain while the sides of the paired buildings, a river-crew rest area and passenger waiting room, taper back to meet the recesses of the historic pier berths. A humble palate of materials: charred timber, muted zinc and a wildflower meadow roof ensures it is subservient in stature to the monument behind.

Setting a precedent against recent developments on the river, access is provided within the original access slots that were also used by the Victorians instead of ungainly industrial ramps over the Embankment balustrades. The structure has been designed with Passive House (or passivhaus) levels of insulation in mind and could ultimately become the world first floating Passive House building!

The Larch House – Passivhaus Competition, Wales
Design: bere:architects

image from architect
Welsh Passive House
The first Passivhaus homes in Wales for social housing, including the UK‟s first zero carbon Passive House, completed in summer 2010. Designed by bere:architects the two progressive houses are the central features of Future Homes, a demonstration centre for sustainable development and construction that is part of the 2010 National Eisteddfod festival of Wales.

Bere Architects – Key Projects

Major Buildings / Projects, alphabetical:

Monument Square, City of London, England, UK
2007

photo © Adrian Welch
Monument Square
Toilet block at The Monument: Glass Pavilion + landscaping