SPACEHUB – January 2023 Newsletter

Hello from the team here at Spacehub! Before we get too far into the new year, we would like to take a moment to showcase some highlights from an exciting 2022 in the studio. We achieved much that we are extremely proud of and shared some amazing experiences along the way. As we like to say, every day is a blessing!

East India Dock Basin – Spacehub support London Borough of Tower Hamlets LUF bid

The team worked in close collaboration with the London Borough of Tower Hamlets and Lea Valley Regional Park Authority on a site adjacent to the East India Dock Basin known as Orchard Wharf, on behalf of Regal UK. This was a joint effort as part of Tower Hamlets’ Levelling Up Fund (LUF) bid to fulfil the site’s potential as a heritage resource and nature reserve. The proposals seek to enhance the existing range of habitats that exist on site including salt marsh, reed bed, woodland, and grassland.

85 Gracechurch St – Planning application submitted

Back in November, our planning scheme for the new green core in the heart of The City of London was submitted. We look forward to seeing how this will develop and emerge over the coming year.

Dungeness to Folkestone summer trip

Throughout the year, we have been busy making the most of our Friday’s by visiting landscape projects near and far in search of inspiration. Our most monumental and furthest excursion from the comforts of Bethnal Green Road was to the Southeast coast. Starting in Dungeness, we forged a 6-hour walk (and a quick hop on the bus) to Folkestone, where we are heading a large-scale masterplan. We didn’t forget to take in the seaside beauty along the way.

However, we couldn’t set out from Dungeness before visiting Prospect Cottage, once home to artist Derek Jarman; whose garden and planting provides inspiration for our Folkestone projects.

Once in Folkestone, we walked through the Lower Leas Coastal Park towards Marine Parade and the portion of our project under construction whist inhaling the sea air and scarfing down some fresh fish and chips.

Cuba Street – granted consent, detail design commences

The Cuba Street project in Canary Wharf has been granted planning consent. We worked in close collaboration with Morris + Company Architects to develop the landscape and public realm associated with the new residential scheme. The team have begun to detail all the elements of the scheme including the new publicly accessible park which includes a bandstand at the centre of the scheme, multiple play features including swale play and a new podium play terrace.

The design also proposes changes to the public realm to improve the surrounding streetscape to support Tower Hamlet’s Livable Streets Programme.

Cowcross Yards completed, market re-opening in November

Back in June, we completed the construction of a new solid timber bench situated in the centre of Cowcross Yards, Farringdon, with accompanying gantry and alleyway signage. The bench serves revellers of the market which has now relaunched and is open every Thursday lunch time allowing you to enjoy your favourite Venezuelan cachapas or Tapas Bravas.

© Four Communications Group Limited

© KERB

© Four Communications Group Limited

Spitalfields Farm – funding secured / consultation / design complete

Spitalfields City Farm with London Borough of Tower Hamlets, Spacehub, Silas Yard and Providence Row Housing were awarded £35,625 to create a new community garden on a piece of disused land next to Spitalfields City Farm. Consultation was completed in with a resounding positive response from local members of the community and keen farm goers. The team progressed our designs which have now been completed and are awaiting construction.

The Bishopsgate Goodsyard

Spacehub have been working on this strategic London project for nearly 10 years. Following planning approval by the Mayor of London in Dec 2020 the design team have now been mobilised to progress the project. We are delighted to be retained alongside FaulknerBrowns, Chris Dyson Architects, Eric Parry Architects, Buckley Grey Yeoman, HAL Architects, Coffey Architects and Gensler for very exciting new phase of the project. With over 2.5 Hectares of public realm including a new park on top of the listed viaduct this long derelict site is set to be transformed into a major new destination for East London.

Watch this space!

Folkestone Seafront – Plot A and Leas Lift Square granted consent.

We have been working closely with ACME architects to reinvigorate Folkestone’s Seafront. Our proposal for the Leas Lift Square plaza has been given planning permission along with plot A.

 

Folkestone – appointed on plot A, B, C, D, E, F, G, Masterplan

The team have been working tirelessly across the Folkestone Seafront development projects and subsequently have been appointed to all plots across the masterplan. The scheme will reinvigorate the seaside town which suffered economic loss with the rise in popularity of travel abroad in the 1960’s.

Many milestones were achieved on this project in 2022; Plot B is currently being constructed and is due for completion spring 2023. Plot C and D have gained planning permission. Plot E has been submitted for planning and the Harbour masterplan detail design is ongoing.

We look forward to carrying our successes into 2023!