Farrer Huxley
Existing site: Inward looking arrangement isolated the estate from the surrounding context

Burridge Gardens

Clapham, London

An isolated housing estate has been physically and socially stitched into the surrounding neighbourhood.
 
New avenue at Burridge Gardens; Photo ©Jack Hobhouse.

New avenue at Burridge Gardens; Photo ©Jack Hobhouse.

 
Type Housing, Regeneration, Community Engagement, Masterplanning & Urban Design
Location Clapham, London Borough of Wandsworth
Scale 2.28 ha (22,800 sqm)
353 existing homes to be replaced with 538 new homes (over 3 phases)
Client Peabody
Partners Hawkins\Brown
Status Phase 1 Completed 2017 (Phases 2 & 3 Ongoing)
RIBA Stages 0-7
Awards RIBA London Award 2017;
Commendation for Landscape in the Private Realm - Wandsworth Design Awards 2017;
Best Large Housing Development - Brick Award 2016
 
 
Ambition To Integrate the Estate into its Neighbourhood St John’s Estate in Clapham was isolated from its surrounding neighbourhood by an unwelcoming perimeter wall and inward-looking arrangement. The vision has been to dissolve the borders

Ambition

To Integrate the Estate into its Neighbourhood

St John’s Estate in Clapham was isolated from its surrounding neighbourhood by an unwelcoming perimeter wall and inward-looking arrangement.

The vision has been to dissolve the borders of the estate and integrate it physically and socially with its surroundings.

Above two photos: top photo ©Jack Hobhouse; bottom photo ©Skidmores Architectural Landscaping Contractors

Above two photos: top photo ©Jack Hobhouse; bottom photo ©Skidmores Architectural Landscaping Contractors

Impact

A Newly Connected Place to Live

Burridge Gardens has been opened up to the surrounding area, connecting residents with green space, transport and, importantly, their local community.

The scheme encourages social cohesion by providing recreation for all age groups. Pathways and changes in level allow children to explore, whilst the overall landscape design gives older people easy access to outside space.

Photo ©Jack Hobhouse

Photo ©Jack Hobhouse

Approach

Inward Looking to Outward Looking

Removing barriers and creating well-defined pathways opens the estate to the surrounding neighbourhood.

A new tree lined avenue creates a direct link between Clapham Junction Station and Wandsworth Common, also leading pedestrians through a communal square at the heart of Burridge Gardens.

Brick sculpture by Artist Rodney Harris; photo ©Jack Hobhouse

Brick sculpture by Artist Rodney Harris; photo ©Jack Hobhouse

Community Engagement

Designed with the Community

A substantial consultation strategy embedded resident aspirations in the design proposals, resulting in innovative spaces designed hand-in-hand with the community. Early engagement garnered community support for the demolition and rebuild of their entire estate.

Our work includes support of the art strategy. This weaves the estate’s history into its fabric, contributing to a distinct sense of place. Brick reliefs by Artist Rodney Harris were inspired by resident memories of the estate. Buildings were also named after different cultivars of lavender - a plant once commercially grown in the area.