Blackfriars Circus
David Grandorge

Blackfriars Circus

Maccreanor Lavington Architects as Architects

Our group of new buildings lines the south-eastern end of Blackfriars Road and fronts St. George’s Circus, an important hub from which boulevards connect to the 18th century river crossings at Lambeth, Westminster, Waterloo, Blackfriars and Southwark.

The buildings act to repair the historic form of the circus and introduce a new landmark. A 28-storey masonry tower emerges from the block, set politely one building back so as not to dominate, its slender façade is turned to address the obelisk at the focal point of the circus giving it its hexagonal form.

photo_credit David Grandorge
David Grandorge

 

Set behind the boulevard frontage, a number of more intimate public spaces are created.  A square with café, seating, trees and fountain links Blackfriars Road and Library Street. A yard is entered through the square that is lined on all sides by small workspaces. In all 22 new business will activate and inhabit the public realm.

An additional atrium space is created by happy accident whilst reconciling the residential plan of the southernmost building that mediates between the circus and square.

photo_credit Tim Crocker
Tim Crocker

 

In total 336 new homes of different tenures have been occupied including 56 affordable rented properties for Southwark Council.

A Joyous Variety of Brick
The building facades draw influence from historic warehouses of Southwark and Clerkenwell. The public street frontages employ a joyous variety of stock and colourful glazed bricks while the backs remain relatively simple and plain. The modelling and enrichment is classical without being traditional and is enhanced in prominent places such as the entrances and the tops.

photo_credit Tim Crocker
Tim Crocker

 

Project Credits
Structural Engineers
Project Management, Quantity Surveyor, Cost Consultant
Sustainability Consultant
Products used in this project
Product Spec Sheet

ElementBrand
ManufacturersVandersanden
Brick claddingSt Joris
MortarCPI EuroMix
Supplier St Joris brown-glazed, green-glazed and white-glazedIbstock Bricks
Product Spec Sheet
Manufacturers
Geel Zilverzand / attitude, Garda, Sevan, Nevado by Vandersanden
Brick cladding
extruder, sawtooth, custom-made by St Joris
Mortar
Supplier St Joris brown-glazed, green-glazed and white-glazed
Featured Projects
Latest Products
News
Vudafieri-Saverino craft Austrian-Alps inspired interiors for Snohetta-designed five-star hotel
25 Mar 2023 News
Vudafieri-Saverino craft Austrian-Alps inspired interiors for Snohetta-designed five-star hotel

Nestled amongst forests and peaks of a protected area of the Montafon valley in Austria, Falkenstein... More

Atelier Write designs an improvisational studio space in Tokyo for New-York based brand OVERCOAT
25 Mar 2023 News
Atelier Write designs an improvisational studio space in Tokyo for New-York based brand OVERCOAT

New York-based fashion brand OVERCOAT recently opened its first directly managed store designed by a... More

Door MVRDV ontworpen NIO House in Rotterdam geopend
24 Mar 2023 News
MVRDV-designed NIO House in Rotterdam opened

A multifunctional showroom for electric car brand NIO opened in Rotterdam on Thursday. The Chinese c... More

10 quaint wall coverings that can add personality to your bedroom
24 Mar 2023 Specification
10 quaint wall coverings that can add personality to your bedroom

The bedroom is a sacred space, a place where one can retreat from the world and unwind after a long... More

Prague’s Vltavska underground transformed into a vibrant public space for freestyle activities
24 Mar 2023 News
Prague’s Vltavska underground transformed into a vibrant public space for freestyle activities

Once a transport intersection avoided by citizens of Prague, U/U studio has replaced vacancy and dar... More

Rocky Hill Memorial Museum by Crone finds meaning through form and materiality
23 Mar 2023 News
Rocky Hill Memorial Museum by Crone finds meaning through form and materiality

Completed in 1925 as a tribute to the men and women of Goulburn, Australia, who served during World... More

Moody and seductive Sushi Zen by LDH Design opens in Beijing
22 Mar 2023 News
Moody and seductive Sushi Zen by LDH Design opens in Beijing

At No. 33 Wusi Street in Beijing’s Dongcheng District, LDH Design has recently completed works... More

KMR rethinks wooden residential construction with metal sheet façade and plywood louvres in Japan
22 Mar 2023 News
KMR rethinks wooden residential construction with metal sheet façade and plywood louvres in Japan

Surrounded by rice paddy fields and rural scenery with farmhouses dispersed throughout the countrysi... More