City of Westminster has set out to achieve an exemplary design for its flagship regeneration scheme. The creation of a residential-led destination place that seamlessly integrates with the wider neighbourhood, and reimagines London’s traditional garden squares to offer residents four outstanding linked public outdoor spaces.
This ambitious masterplan places residents and the community at its heart, but is visionary and future-proofed in its approach and is leading the way in sustainable and energy-efficient design. A masterplan that has already received recognition – winning the Editor’s Award at the 2023 Planning Awards.
Richard Hyams
astudio
Richard is the lead architect on Ebury, and with his team they have crafted the vision and the masterplan, and driven the design process of this landmark scheme.
“Ebury is the best site you can get in terms of connectivity.
It is close to Victoria Station, to the buses, to everything,
so had huge potential for development.”
The prime location, in combination with the benefits that a council-led scheme can deliver, has secured Ebury’s reputation as a standout London development. “Unlike a private developer, Westminster can adopt a long-term approach, taking a view that is 100 years and not 5 years.” This enabled astudio’s design to be visionary and more future-proofed, incorporating features not found in other similar schemes such as enhanced flexibility in the interior design, a state-of-the art energy centre and leading sustainability initiatives.
“Sustainability is part of our DNA, that’s why we used daylight, wind and water to shape the masterplan.” The development and the placement of buildings maximises daylight. “We weren’t briefed to design a space that works better in daylight than the average space but that is something that we felt passionate about, it’s all about sustainability and the social side of that too.” astudio’s design “reinvents the old London square,” of which the local area is synonymous, creating “a place that is a destination and not just a place that you pass through, featuring a series of beautiful public outside spaces that will create a new heart to the community.”
Setting the standards for Sustainable living
Sustainable living is at the heart of the design and construction of Ebury, driven by the City of Westminster’s vision for its exemplary flagship scheme and its commitment to lead the way in tackling climate change and future proofing the vision for future phases.
Ebury has achieved a BREEAM Communities ‘Outstanding’ award* – the highest possible ranking – recognising its achievements and commitment to delivering more sustainable homes that are kinder to the planet.
Centralised energy centre
Beautifully designed public spaces
Low-car scheme
Environmentally friendly building material
Reusing material from demolition
Low energy lighting
Becci Taylor
Arup
Becci has led the sustainability strategy and building services engineering at Ebury from the outset ensuring Ebury is at the forefront of low carbon and high comfort design.
“Westminster’s brief was to create something ‘exemplary’ in terms of housing. Working with a public client enabled us to push things more than we would have with a private developer and that is why we have ended up with a more sustainable and resilient approach than on a typical residential development. And that has meant being brave and doing something that remains relevant in the future.”
The development’s sustainability initiatives are wide ranging and based on the ethos of People and Planet and achieving a balance to ensure a positive impact on the future health of both. The success of this approach is evident in Ebury scoring ‘Outstanding’ on the BREEAM Communities sustainability assessment. “The BREEAM outstanding award is unique for a residential masterplan scale development as it assesses sustainability on a broader level.”
“Our strategy was about having a vision for the development and keeping to it, we had to disrupt the traditional idea of how a home works to make it better and to achieve that balance between people and planet.”
Outside living
Explore the landscape
Garden squares are a quintessential feature of many central London neighbourhoods and they have been creatively reimagined for Ebury residents and visitors alike.
A true extension of your home, Ebury’s four garden squares will provide over 2.3 acres of public outside space and are designed to support wellbeing, encourage social connection and connect with nature.
Alba Square is Ebury’s first garden square – creating the gateway space for the whole development. Beautifully landscaped walkways meander between the buildings, and at its centre discover a play area set within trees and lush planting.
