A new approach for a renewed Battersea

2012 is truly an exciting year to be in London. However, once the world’s attention has moved on from the Olympics the attention of developers, planners, architects and construction industry will shift wholesale to Battersea.

The Mayor's planning framework for Nine Elms includes 16,000 new homes, 2 new tube stations, the new American Embassy and a new Covent Garden Market. A predicted 25,000 new jobs will be created as the area is transformed into a world class residential and business quarter. There is also internet chatter about Chelsea football club relocating to the south side of the river, the redevelopment of Wandsworth Town Centre, and the Ram Brewery Site.

The area has undergone a rapid period of change over the past decade. Despite the recent recession this transformation continues and the next decade will bring even greater changes. Improvements to our infrastructure, the requirement for more homes and better integration of public transport and public spaces will shape the area. Battersea is an exciting place to be now and for the foreseeable future and this is why we have launched our architectural practice One‐world Design here.

The One‐world design view is that there is a link between the economy, society, and our environment and architecture is part of how we can change it for the better‐ architecture should serve the community. We live and work in Battersea and care about what happens here. One‐world design has big ideas and the energy to make them happen and we are putting our manifesto into practice.

Battersea is famous for it’s the Dogs and Cats Home. When the opportunity arose to develop a scheme for 2 new kennel blocks we produced designs for the Home pro‐bono. The proposals were well received and may become part of the Homes long term plans which are undergoing a review. We hope to be able to work with them further in future.

Wandsworth has the most river frontage of any inner London borough, and Battersea has fantastic river side amenities and ample opportunity to create more. With two new hotels, including the award winning Hotel Rafayel, and several restaurants along the river east of Wandsworth Bridge an evening economy is growing along the tranquil riverside walk.

A new connection between Chelsea Harbor and Battersea would be beneficial to the communities, transport links and businesses on both sides of the river. With the support of Hotel Rafayel, Oneworld design and Expedition Engineering have progressed designs for a new bridge. We are aiming to submit The Jubilee Bridge, named due to its timing and its proximity to the departure point of Her Majesty the Queen as she joins the Diamond Jubilee Flotilla, for planning approval by the end of March 2012.

http://www.one-worlddesign.co.uk/