One Ashley Road is a flagship project in the urban regeneration of North London’s Tottenham Hale district. The mixed-use development was designed by London-based architectural studio Alison Brooks Architects. The project has received a BREEAM Very Good rating, reflecting its commitment to sustainable design and construction practises.
“Heart of Hale”
One Ashley Road acts as the gateway to “Heart of Hale”, a masterplan for Tottenham Hale that comprises new homes, retail, restaurants, cafes, and office space. Tottenham Hale experienced significant urbanisation in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. This transformation was marked by the construction of numerous new factories and warehouses, most notably the Eagle Pencil Company factory, renowned for producing the classic Berol Eagle Pencil. A large-scale redevelopment of the area is transforming a post-industrial, traffic-dominated transport hub into a liveable neighbourhood. This transformation improves the quality of life for residents and workers.
One Ashley Road is made up of three connected concrete frame structures: an 18-storey residential tower, a 12-storey residential tower, and a low-rise, 3-storey linking podium with retail and office space. The design responds to the constraints of its urban site and defines the northern edge of a new transport interchange, including London Underground, National Rail, and local bus services.
Drawing inspiration from the Berol Eagle Pencil
One Ashley Road is adjacent to Berol House, once part of the Eagle Pencil Company factory in Tottenham Hale (1907 to 1992). The development’s hexagonal plan geometry has a faceted form and pronounced verticality. With a rich orange brick outer skin and a faceted metal courtyard interior facade, the design recalls the graphic colours and hexagonal forms of the iconic Berol Eagle Pencil. These elements are translated as abstract surface patterns within the architecture of the building, reflecting light into its core.
A new pedestrian walkway has been created, connecting One Ashley Road to the courtyard of Berol House.
Architectural design
The development’s stepped massing, a response to the site’s unique conditions, creates a private podium courtyard and co-working space for residents on the third floor. Additionally, there’s a south-facing communal roof garden on the seventh floor. The mid-rise scale helps to soften the transition between the two residential towers and the public realm. Alison Brooks Architects also created a new civic square at the “prow” of the site.
In contrast to its smooth terracotta exterior, One Ashley Road’s internal elevations feature faceted metal cassette panels and prefabricated, bolt-on balconies that reflect light into the raised courtyard.
At street level, retail units are closed by stick curtain walling. Triple-height entrance lobbies are bounded by a colonnade, which buffers traffic noise and provides shelter.
A design that overcomes London Underground constraints
One Ashley Road’s location by a busy transport hub necessitated overcoming constraints posed by the London Underground. The design responds with considerable ingenuity to the presence of two Victoria line tunnels that run through the plot. The residential towers and their respective piling are strategically located on either side of the tunnels. The project team successfully navigated the loading, acoustic, and vibration requirements of the London Underground infrastructure. Vibration from the trains was a key design concern for the comfort of residents, especially at night.
