News Feature: Transforming former industrial site into major student housing development

Feature: Transforming former industrial site into major student housing development

Features, News

September 06, 2024

Located in the Royal Borough of Greenwich, along Deptford Creek, Ravensbourne Wharf is a new mixed-use student housing scheme designed by PRP architects for YourTRIBE and Aitch Group. Positioned between multiple universities and colleges, the 27-storey tower addresses the high demand for student housing in the area.

Project lead Rob High and architectural assistant Bethan Crouch are transforming this historically industrial site into residential spaces while re-providing light industrial zones for creative industries. Now in its final stages of planning approval, Ravensbourne Wharf is eager to break ground and begin construction.

Addressing constraints and design solutions 

The site of Ravensbourne Wharf is constrained on all borders: a working wharf to the north, residential housing to the south and Deptford Creek to the west. Through sensitive design, these complexities are managed effectively. Consultation with the Port of London Authority and Environmental Agency have helped inform the developments relationship to the context. The Royal Borough of Greenwich’s aspiration for a improved footway along Norman Road led to a design adjustment, setting the building back to provide more space for pedestrian use.  

To mitigate noise from the adjacent cement works, student accommodation on the north side is elevated and bay windows focus views away and towards the River Thames, reducing the impact of cement mixers, trucks, and deliveries. “Elevating the accommodation helps shield residents from the noise while still allowing them to enjoy the benefits of this location,” Rob High explains. On the south side, where residential housing could overlook student rooms, the design angles bay windows away from these homes, redirecting views towards Greenwich Park.

Fostering connectivity and community 

A key design feature of the proposals for Ravensbourne Wharf is to replace existing industrial spaces that are to be demolished, within the new development. This transformation to a mixed-use scheme combines student accommodation, light industrial spaces for the creative industries, and a public café. These features aim to strengthen connections with local universities, residents, industrial workers and students to create a vibrant, interactive environment.

The design brief for Ravensbourne Wharf emphasises predominantly en-suite accommodation with cluster kitchens, alongside studios and shared amenity spaces. “Our focus was on creating environments that encourage social interaction,” Bethan Crouch notes. “Shared spaces like lounges, study areas, and rooftop gardens are integral to enhancing student life and building a strong community atmosphere.”

The ground floor features a public café, landscaped public realm, and accessible areas for local residents, industrial workers, and students, promoting community engagement and interaction. High adds, “Extensive consultations with the council and their design officer helped refine the ground floor layout. Incorporating their advice on competing usages and active frontages, we created a balanced and functional space that supports both student and community needs, helping new residents integrate into the local area.” 

Designing for the local context and community 

The building’s design thoughtfully integrates with the local context, aligning with the tall structures clustered in this area of Greenwich and Lewisham. It pays homage to the area’s industrial past through its façade, featuring red and green colours and brick detailing inspired by historic wharf buildings . “We wanted to reflect the area's transition from an industrial past to a modern residential hub,” explains High. “The use of colours and brick detailing was crucial in maintaining that connection.”

This design approach not only reflects the area's transition from an industrial past to a modern residential hub but also follows the ongoing trend of this shift. The design process utilised advanced 3D modelling, with jesmonite and wooden models, to capture and refine these architectural nuances, ensuring a seamless blend of historical reference and contemporary design.

To address practical concerns such as night-time noise and privacy along the new Deptford Creek pedestrian link, student accommodations are placed on higher floors, creating an acoustic buffer and improving views through angled bay windows. The landscape design incorporates defensible space, ensuring privacy for nearby homes while guiding foot traffic away from them. This approach encourages creek-side activity, balancing the needs of the local community with the benefits of the new pedestrian link along Deptford Creek.

Commitment to sustainable design

Sustainability is integrated into the design through various innovate strategies. High emphasises this commitment: "Collaboration with a sustainability consultant from the beginning has ensured eco-friendly practices throughout. The building fabric is highly efficient, employing high U-Value materials, PVs on the roof, and air source heat pumps for efficient heating." Additionally, the structural frame has been designed to be as efficient as possible to reduce embodied carbon, with each accommodation floor having the same layout to maximise stacking efficiency. “One of our key design features is the orientation of window bays to maximise daylight and also provide shelter from the wind,” educated Crouch. In addition to these features, the landscape design maximises opportunities for greenery and thoughtfully reuses old industrial materials like bricks, reinforcing sustainable practices.

Designing for student safety, wellbeing, and accessibility

Safety is a fundamental aspect of the design, beginning with the strategic placement of the reception at a key corner to offer a clear view of everyone entering the site. The roof terraces, situated 27 storeys high, will be equipped with high parapets that provide a secure sense of enclosure. On the lower floors, consistent activity throughout the day and night will ensure the area remains lively and safe at all times. The windows have also been designed with safety in mind; while the glazing is fixed, a side panel opens behind a perforated metal screen to allow for purge ventilation and fresh air, while preventing any risk of exiting through the window.

Ensuring safety in student accommodation is paramount as it significantly impacts students' overall wellbeing and academic performance. A secure living environment fosters peace of mind, enabling students to focus on their studies and social activities without undue concern for their personal safety. The design prioritises this need, providing a reassuring atmosphere for students and their families.

"One tool we have used to design for wellbeing is day-in-the-life sketch studies of user experiences to envision proposed spaces and how users move and interact within them," describes architectural assistant Crouch. Incidental meeting spaces, such as wide corridors, are incorporated to promote socialisation and create a sense of community among residents. This thoughtful integration of safety and social spaces hopes to create a balanced environment where students feel secure and connected. 

Accessibility is a major priority, with a variety of studio types designed to meet diverse needs. “We’ve ensured that 10% of the accommodation is accessible or adaptable, which reflects our commitment to inclusivity,” states High. All amenities are designed to be user-friendly and accessible, and the building features clear, repetitive layouts to aid wayfinding and ease navigation. Level access throughout the design ensures that users of all mobility levels can move freely and comfortably.

Ravensbourne Wharf represents a thoughtful balance of modern residential needs with a respect for the site's industrial heritage. The 27-storey development addresses both high demand for student housing and the integration of creative industries. Through thoughtful design, the project effectively manages site constraints and fosters a vibrant community by incorporating diverse amenities and public spaces.

Emphasising sustainability, safety, and accessibility, Ravensbourne Wharf aims to offer a secure, inclusive, and environmentally friendly living environment. The scheme successfully balances references to the sites historically industrial past with contemporary design solutions to enrich the local community and future residents.