ARCHELLO YOUR CONNECTION WITH ARCHITECTURE

QATARI DIAR Real Estate Investment Company (“Qatari Diar”), the owner and developer of the Chelsea Barracks project on Tuesday the 20th of April, presented an initial Masterplan Concept for the development to community and resident groups, as part of its extensive and ongoing public consultation process.

The Residents’ Liaison Group and Community Liaison Group, were the first to see the new concepts, presented at local meetings. The Masterplan is designed by Dixon Jones, Squire and Partners and Kim Wilkie Associates.

They said “We have designed a Masterplan that is intended to realise the potential of this historic and important site and ensures that it sits in harmony with its surroundings. We’ve listened to the views of the local people and reflected them in a proposal which will create a special place of houses, apartments, squares, streets and gardens that we feel will be in character with, and will be a recognised part of London.”

The plan sets out the setting and environment being proposed for the development, including the sustainable land use mix and public realm elements, ahead of detailed design architecture for the buildings. The designers have taken into consideration the views of the public. Consultation events and research has been undertaken in and around the area by a specialist company.

Streets, squares and gardens will be key features of the new neighbourhood being proposed for this 12.8 acre site. These will be some of the first significant new public garden squares to have been created in Central London for over a century. A welcome feature is that some of the landscaped areas are intended to be productive gardens, as well as providing the potential for displays of different forms of garden design and plant
species.

The development is predominantly residential, but includes a significant mix of houses in addition to apartment buildings, as well as local shops and community facilities. Also included is a boutique hotel, a community sports facility and a medical centre. Public art will also be a feature.
Chelsea Barracks will be one of the few un-gated developments in the area. The proposals currently include the former Garrison Chapel which may be retained in some form to provide a ‘beating heart’ to the neighbourhood, subject to further public consultation and an appropriate and viable use being identified.

It is expected that the site will be developed in phases, with the detailed building designs being undertaken by a variety of architects, none of whom have yet been appointed. It is anticipated that the Masterplan will be submitted to Westminster City Council as an outline planning application later this year, following further public consultation in the coming months.

A Qatari Diar spokesperson said:
“Qatari Diar has a long-term commitment to major investment at this site in order to create a sustainable new neighbourhood for London, delivering both private and public spaces where people will want to be. An enormous amount of work has gone into this Masterplan Concept, which will lead to a development of which London can be truly proud, and which will reflect the traditions, culture and diversity of its surroundings within this historic area of the capital. Extensive public consultation has been central to developing a concept that we believe will be an authentic London landscape yet forward looking in character, capable of adapting over time and therefore truly sustainable."

The Chelsea Barracks have been a hot topic in the past with architects and the public. There was a previous masterplan for the site which was designed by Rogers Stirk Harbour and Partners. Their modern design which is what the firm is known for, was criticised by tradionalists. Prince Charles wrote to the owners, Qatari Diar, expressing his disapproval of the modern design. Rogers Stirk Harbour and Partners design was withdrawn from the planning application soon after the letter was received. Dixon Jones, Squire and Partners and Kim Wilkie Associates have since taken over.