Mixed Use
Aldgate East Mixed-Use Developments
The scheme includes high specification offices, a mid-budget hotel with significant public areas, retail stores, the upgrading of the Underground Station, servicing areas, and basement car parking. John Seifert Architects has just released its latest successful scheme to pass through London’s planning process. The new scheme has an exciting location with its prime frontages on Whitechapel High Street and Commercial Street. This area is identified as one that will radically change as the City of London expands eastwards in part as a reaction to Canary Wharf. This site represents an important corner location in the area, with long and short distance views along the high streets. Using this corner to its full potential, JSA has created a contemporary focus building that maintains a sensitive relationship to its surrounding area. The building envelope is light and contemporary, with the design sculptural. To maximise the dramatics of the corner site, John Seifert Architects commissioned two artists who specialise in light sculpture to refine the light element on the glass fin adjacent to the entrance. This will produce a fine and sculptural light form and emphasise this important focus as a ‘blade of light’. By creating a landmark development of quality and identity with a better mix of uses, JSA’s design will help create new job opportunities and stimulate local pride in the vicinity. Once the project has been completed it will share in the overall regeneration and improved perception of this area, spreading east from the City into Tower Hamlets. During the day, there is currently an obvious lack of public open space in this area. Fully conscious of the detrimental impact of this to the local urban culture, John Seifert Architects has ensured that the new proposal takes into account issues of public life and addresses them through well-considered and well-researched new urban design. In many ways the current state of the site is typical of post war development, being generally inappropriate and playing second fiddle to the road network. The current pedestrian subway system in the area is based on outdated thinking and does not recognise the public’s preference for moving around safely at street level. The new development sees a healthy mix of uses being created in the area. The development is above the main entrance to Aldgate East underground station and with main bus routes adjacent, it acts as a minor transport interchange. There is a significant opportunity to increase employment generation on this site with prospects for local employment particularly with the hotel and retail uses. John Seifert Architects are delighted that the scheme has won planning permission, and are keen to see a dramatic regeneration of this eastern city gateway.
copyright 2003 John Seifert Architects