Commissioned by the London Borough of Camden, Mæ have created twenty-one new high-quality homes for residents living in the path of the HS2 development in Camden. Utilising a number of small sites on a Regent’s Park Estate, the council has re-housed residents within close proximity of their original homes, helping to protect the social sustainability of the area. With residents soon to be without homes, construction had to meet a tight delivery timetable and budget while still achieving a very high quality build. 

The Caudale site is located on a prominent corner where Varndell Street meets Stanhope Street. Split into two volumes, the new block provides visual cohesion to the estate’s eclectic mix of buildings: a six storey tower containing five spacious apartments marks the corner of the site, while three, three-storey townhouses mirror the scale of an adjoining row of houses to the west. A double height portico clearly signposts the main entrance, and retains important visual connections from the street through to the communal garden beyond.

A playful arrangement of exaggerated, recessed balconies echo the chequered facades of neighbouring buildings, while providing passive surveillance to the communal garden below. 

The green space that is now formally connected to these dwellings was already in existence before the of this new development, however Mæ have implanted several improvements. New seating has been added, with an improved play space and allotments to encourage residents to take ownership of the space, and an orchard which creates a new focal point to the space. New planting throughout the scheme not only increases the biodiversity of the area, but enhances privacy to both new and existing residents living on ground floor spaces.

The building has been carefully designed to accommodate the preferences and housing need of residents; all homes are dual aspect and generously planned to exceed current building standards. The provision of private balconies to all the homes creates opportunity social encounters, and allows the home to grow with the occupants. Ample cycle parking and storage, alongside enhanced pedestrian routes through the estate helps to promote walking and cycling, while the provision of high-quality public and private outdoor amenity helps to support healthier lifestyles.

The project demonstrates how small urban sites can be used thoughtfully and creatively to provide much needed, high-quality homes for London. By providing estate wide improvements and new public amenity, Mae are helping to support socially balanced and resilient communities, while promoting Euston as a desirable place to work and visit.