Designed by MJP Architects, the new LHA hostel will animate both the life of the building and its architecture. The building offers panoramic views of London. Its design has placed social spaces and shared facilities such as laundry and study areas in the circulation ‘hotspots’ near lifts and stairs to promote community life.
Being located next to the M40 with high road noise levels and air pollution, Torquay House’s design has attempted to overcome all these onerous site conditions to achieve a sustainability rating of BREEAM ‘Excellent’. It is expected to make a major contribution to Westminster’s Westbourne Green Masterplan for improving the neighbourhood. The ground floor frontage and the modelling and colour in the elevations will enliven the streetscape while green roofs and accessible roof terraces will provide amenity space on this tight urban site.
Off-site fabrication is being used as far as possible to speed up construction. The outer walls are pre-assembled off site, while the shower rooms, kitchenettes, stairs and furniture are all factory built. All vertical elements of the structural frame are precast in concrete.
MJP Architects previously designed Friendship House for the LHA in Southwark, completed in 2004.
