eight architecture firms plan london's first purpose-built design district

by 2020, the center of greenwich peninsula will welcome london’s first purpose-built design district, where 1,800 studios will accommodate a vast community of the city’s creatives. spread over 16 different buildings, each one has been custom designed by international firms, including 6a architects, mole, architecture 00, barrozi veiga, selgascano, assemblage, adam khan architects and david kohn architects. most significantly, the project aims to nurture a diverse and inclusive creative community through affordable rents, which start from £10 GBP per square foot.

all images courtesy of knight dragon

as part of the large redevelopment of greenwich peninsula, which includes santiago calatrava’s transport hub and SOM’s upper riverside complex, developers knight dragon aim to create a new cultural destination. the 16 custom-made buildings, full of workshops and studios, are set around a series of courtyards and a central public square. every architecture practice, from selgascano to mole, were designated two independent buildings that were to be designed ‘blind’ from each other. as a result, the proposed plan accommodates a wealth of diversity in color and form.

‘creativity is what drives forward any thriving city,‘ says richard margree, chief executive of knight dragon. ‘the peninsula presents a unique chance to create a new permanent district designed by creatives for creatives. at the very center of this new community will be artists mixing with start-ups, mixing with independent market traders and design companies, large and small; everyone is welcome. we want a real mix of companies to come and to take over the place.‘    

the design district is the next phase in the redevelopment of greenwich peninsula by knight dragon, as part of its 20 year plan to create a new piece of london city.

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