Architects Hawkins\Brown and Regal Homes have received planning permission from the London Borough of Hackney for a new 6,750m2 mixed-use development on Wenlock Road, which will be called Banyan Wharf.
It consists of 10 storeys, comprising 4,650m2 residential units and 1,190m2 commercial units located at street level. That beats both Bridport and Murray Grove by a storey.
The contract is worth £10m. The main carcass of the building will be constructed of CLT manufactured off-site. It is believed a supplier has been chosen although not named publicly. The CLT elevations will be clad in slatted larch with a dark brick screen forming the edge of the conservation area.
The architect has identified the proposed CLT engineer and subcontractor, but neither company was available for comment. Not only will the building be the tallest CLT residential structure in Europe, it will match the world record holder, the Forte Tower in Melbourne, Australia – although there are reports that a still taller buiding is now planned on the Continent.
The project is for a unique cruciform plan, staggered on each level to allow all 50 residential units to benefit from at least two, if not three aspects.
The construction schedule has not yet been disclosed, but Bridport House demonstrated the speed of construction using CLT in that the main structure was put up in 10 weeks.
