The central street protects against the harsh boundaries and becomes a hub of activity where studios face and open onto.
The sub-division of the site reacts to different existing degrees of access and boundary conditions; these could also be seen as phases in the implementation of the project.
Future connections across the site at the east end will need to consider and be incorporated in the proposed Silvertown Tunnel entry, revised roundabout design and access across the DLR line. The central and west access points will become key connections through the site to future occupies of riverside developments giving access to the services and facilities at Royal Victoria Docks.
Terraces above the lower outer units provide external spaces and views from the central units.
Amenities and services access provides along slide larger units for creative production. The flexibility of polycarbonate facades can provide large access units.
The Flyover Creative Workspace uses the column grid as a framework to set out various sized workspaces, usurping the height below the flyover to provide single and double height spaces with terraces. Amenities including bike parking, toilets, service access and a café are positioned at ends of each section. Belying the differing constraints the Flyover Creative Workspace places central the themes of variation, independence and collective space.
The proposal has to negotiate not only open connections but protect against the harsh edges and deep plan of the flyover. In Section, a central street links open workspaces that are used as a barrier to the slip roads. Open floors and polycarbonate facades at high level allow light into the units and to penetrate the center of the plan. Central taller units and lower outer units provide light penetration and views deep into the plan. Natural light sources from both the edges and between the slip roads allow a more free arrangement of the workspaces, facilitating open connections through the site.
Variation: The variation in workspace volume and arrangement accommodates a diverse range of creative industries from workshops for makers to studios for digital production. An inspiring range of occupiers can feed a collaboration and enduring community.
Independence: The separation of workspaces provides not only collective space between but also independence and opportunity of expression to each workspace.
Collective space: The overflow and occupation of the spaces around and between workspace encourages occupiers and visitors to interact, collaborate and exhibit. Minimal routes are defined leaving remaining areas left 'tabula rasa' for occupiers to fill with their invention.
Silvertown Flyover Creative Workspace // Location: London