Gasholders London King’s Cross Buildings, British Cast-iron Architecture Images

Gasholders London King’s Cross

Regeneration Building Development in UK – design by WilkinsonEyre with Jonathan Tuckey Design

26 Jul 2018

Gasholders London King’s Cross Shortlisted for RIBA Client of the Year 2018

Architects: WilkinsonEyre with Jonathan Tuckey Design

Gasholders London King’s Cross Shortlisted for RIBA Client of the Year 2018

Jury Report

The industrial heritage of Kings Cross is integral to its regeneration and the triplet of Grade II listed cast-iron gasholders is the most distinct centrepiece.

Gasholders London King’s Cross
photo © Peter Landers

Constructed in 1867, the heavy industrial structures in their full restoration remain as a dominant feature on the new skyline of Kings Cross. Sitting comfortably within these structures are the three residential drums, clad in a delicate and intricate aesthetic of steel and glass panels with a veil of external shutters pierced in a pattern of circles to allow dappled light into the rooms.

These create a homogenous yet dynamic skin, paying homage to the original drums that once sat in these gasholder guide frames. However, they also fulfil a functional and environmental requirement for modern living. The judges were impressed by the facade design addressing the challenges of privacy, solar shading and window dressing while celebrating the industrial character of the gasholders.

Gasholders London King’s Cross

The architect approached the configuration of the three interlocking drums to create a 4 fourth central drum-shaped courtyard, which is open and theatrical with the conglomeration of the gasholder structures coming tougher.

As a counterpoint to the external structure, the interior is based on the intrinsic aesthetic and working of a watch. The brass linings in the polished floor, balustrade design and custom-designed door handles reinforces this crafted approach to the details and is reminiscent of Scarpa’s instinctive designs, combining base materials with precious ones. A brass lining to the vertical edge of the external shutters continues this language onto the facade.

Gasholders London King’s Cross

The residential drums are set at differing heights to suggest the historic movement of the gasholders and each one with its own central atrium floods light down into the heart of the structure and into the apartments through diffused glass screens. The circular walkways and light reflective surfaces create a ‘Guggenheim’ feel to encourage interaction with neighbours and other residents.

The integral design of the wayfinding throughout the development with signage embossed into the textured concrete panels is done with great intelligence. This considered approach to the design is also evident within the apartments with a take on boutique hotels where the detailing to the fixtures and fittings is meticulous and custom-made. The layouts of the pie-shaped apartments are well planned, embracing the concept of a radial arrangement to benefit from expansive views and daylight.

Gasholders London King’s Cross

The provision of a spa, gym, roof garden, cinema and business lounge all add to a modern lifestyle offer. The client is finding that the demographic of residents is proving to be older than expected with an appreciation for the quality of detail and ease of use of the apartments with innovative technologies.

Gasholders London is a successful marrying of old with new where it sensitively handles the needs of modern 21st century living with celebrating the most beautiful industrial structures in the renaissance of King’s Cross.

Gasholders London King’s Cross

Gasholders London

RIBA region: London
Architect practice: WilkinsonEyre with Jonathan Tuckey Design
Additional Architect practice: Jonathan Tuckey Design
Date of completion: January 2018
Client company name: King’s Cross Central Limited Partnership
Project city/town: London
Contract value: Confidential
Internal area: 14,050.00 sqm
Cost per sqm: Confidential
Contractor company name: Carillion

Consultants

Structural and Façade Engineers
Arup

Environmental / M&E Engineers
Hoare Lea

Quantity Surveyor / Cost Consultant
Gardiner & Theobald

Project Management
Gardiner & Theobald

Access Consultant
All Clear

Landscape Architects
Dan Pearson Studio

Interior Architecture for the Apartments
Jonathan Tuckey Design

Frames Restoration
Shepley Engineers

Gasholder Frame Engineer
Craddy Pritchers Davidson

Lighting Design
Spiers & Major

Planning Consultant
NLP Nathan Lichfield & Partners

Spa Consultant
Howard Spa Consulting

Awards
• RIBA Regional Award
• Regional Award Short List
• London North

Gasholders London King’s Cross images / information received 260718

Location: King’s Cross, London, England, UK

London Architecture

London Architecture Design – chronological list

London Architecture Walking Tours

100 Leadenhall Street, City of London
100 Leadenhall Street in London
image Courtesy architecture office
100 Leadenhall Street Building

Open Air Theatre Studios, Regents Park, Westminster, Central London
Design: Reed Watts Architects
Open Air Theatre Studios in Regents Park
photo : David Jensen and Simon Kennedy
Open Air Theatre Studios in Regents Park

Jin Bo Law Skybar at Dorsett City Hotel
Architects: Dexter Moren Associates
Jin Bo Law Skybar at Dorsett City Hotel in London
photo © Michael Molley
Jin Bo Law Skybar at Dorsett City Hotel

Houses of Parliament Building
Design: Barry & Pugin, architects
Houses of Parliament
picture © Nick Weall

Website: Holocaust Memorial Design Competition UK – MRC information

30 Dec 2014
Future National Memorial to the Victims of Communism Design Competition, Canada
Design: ABSTRAKT Studio Architecture
National Memorial to the Victims of Communism
image from architect
Canadian Memorial to the Victims of Communism

London Architecture
7 July Permanent Memorial
image © Carmody Groarke, credit: Carmody Groarke

Regent’s Place Pavilion
Regent’s Place Pavilion
photography by Luke Hayes

London Architect

V & A Museum

London Olympic Stadium

Comments / photos for the Gasholders London King’s Cross page welcome

Website: Foster+Partners