Church Lane

The romance and utility of 1930s Streamline Moderne is captured in the design for this residential development on Church Lane in Kingsbury. Its complex site is bordered by an industrial landscape, Art Deco heritage and an historically significant green space.  Autor Architecture has explored the rich tapestry of the area’s past and married it with the shape of the urban grain to create a prominent but appropriate piece of architecture.

To harness the shape of the corner plot, the design team has developed a stepped profile that provides amenity spaces at ground level for residents to enjoy. This form provided an opportunity to also pick up on the curved bodywork of the Daimler cars and the aerofoil wings of the planes that were once manufactured on the site.  Rounded corners and sculpted balconies create a pleasant rippled effect across the building’s façade, which is also a clear nod to the curve of the nearby Vanden Plas HQ.

The development wraps around a central communal courtyard garden, which the residents will share. By creating an L-shaped building, the apartments are all afforded views out to Kingsbury Green which makes them dual aspect, with private terraces to further help them engage with their surroundings.