Contractor: Laing O'Rourke
The most luxurious address in London is official: One Hyde Park, created on the site of the former 1950s building Bowater House in Knightsbridge, is set to be the most iconic work of architecture that London has ever seen. Designed by pre-eminent architect Richard Rogers, the development of 80 apartments and three exclusive boutiques within four pavilions, will be created to form a unity between Knightsbridge and Hyde Park.
The structure has been designed to synthesize with the existing landscape - on
one side, the vibrancy of Knightsbridge - stylish, international and quintessentially
English, with an exuberant mix of European architectural styles. On the other, tall
groves of trees from which the tranquillity of the park unfolds, opening out onto
lush greenery, lakes and fountains. One Hyde Park will overlook all of this and
will indeed become a natural part of it.
The transparency of the structures will magnificently open up the space
between Knightsbridge and Hyde Park, creating a natural flow of light and
a new energy between the two. The light will be drawn into the north-facing
areas and recesses of the buildings and their shape will provide residents with
both panoramic views onto the park or city, with total privacy.
The pavilions shape will add shadow and definition - their sparkle and
rhythm breaking up the roofline.
The roofscape will rise and fall in scale with
the buildings on either side, their Victorian inference subtly reflected in the
new development (for example the red weathered steel of the façade is a
contemporary hint at the red brick of existing Knightsbridge architecture).
Their
shape will create floors of dramatic beauty and scale, where discreetly served
apartments will offer consummate space, comfort and style.
Covered garden spaces inside the buildings will bring the essence of the
nearby park inside and glazed screens will open during the day adding to the
organic flow of energy on entering and leaving the building.
The buildings are
a celebration of light and nature, even in the midst of the city.
Having been granted planning permission by Westminster City Council, the
demolition of the old structure begins in June 2006 and completion of this
exceptional development is currently anticipated to be in 2010.
J&P supplied the project with T-Bolts and Jordahl channels, in both sled assemblies and standard short lengths. In connection with the client’s engineers, J&P worked on the selection and design of channel for the project, in order to develop solutions appropriate for the situation described.
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