Grid Architektur ZT GmbH

Vantage Point

Vantage Point
Courtesy of Grid Architects

VANTAGE POINT

Grid Architects

CATEGORY
Apartments, Refurbishment

LOCATION
London, United Kingdom

ARCHITECTS
Grid Architects

MANUFACTURERS
Cosentino, Arnold Laver, Life Nobilia, Steel Arts, Warmafloor

DEVELOPER
Essential Living

RENTAL OPERATOR
Essential Living

CONSTRUCTION MANAGER
McLaren Group

STRUCTURAL ENGINEERS
Walsh Group

M&E CONSULTANT
Sweco

PLANNING CONSULTANT
GVA

FAÇADE CONTRACTOR
Staticus Uab

MEP
Gloster

DRY LINING
TJL

ROOFING CONTRACTOR
Briggs Amasco

JOINERY
DPT

KITCHENS
Nobilia

INTERIOR FIT OUT
Artemis

LIFTS
Otis Lifts

AREA
10100

YEAR
2016

MECHANICAL & ELECTRICAL CONSULTANT
Sweco

DEVELOPER
Essential Living

Text description provided by architect.

Vantage Point is the comprehensive refurbishment and recladding of a former office building to one of the UK's first purpose-designed residential rental buildings ( PRS, BtR, Multi-Family living).

Vantage Point
Courtesy of Grid Architects
Vantage Point
Courtesy of Grid Architects
Vantage Point
Courtesy of Grid Architects
Vantage Point
Courtesy of Grid Architects

The regeneration of the Archway area has been kick-started by the refurbishment and recladding of the former Archway Tower; a notorious 18 stories, 1970s office building.

Located above Archway Underground Station, the tall, dark edifice dominated the area and, with the failed post-war surroundings, empty shops, and narrow pedestrian alleys, blighted development for many years.

The brief called for a rental residential building (sales not being permitted in the freehold conditions of a building above an underground station) with active and accessible street frontages, entrances, and improved microclimate - the former slab had created downdrafts which made pedestrian areas uncomfortable and sometimes dangerous.

Vantage Point
Courtesy of Grid Architects
Vantage Point
Courtesy of Grid Architects

Residential use was granted through Permitted Development (a way of changing the use of a building without needing Planning Permission) and the façade by a detailed planning application.

The recladding was not just a wrap of new material; the cladding detail design was a direct response to local residents’ complaints about the dark foreboding nature of the predecessor.

Vantage Point
Courtesy of Grid Architects
Vantage Point
Courtesy of Grid Architects

So angled, light reflective, panels designed to accommodate existing concrete structure and natural ventilation openings reflect the south and east light.

Big window cills also reflect the sky while discouraging pigeons. The solid end walls, formerly in black concrete, were recladded in light stone with large windows to evidence that the building is occupied.

Vantage Point
Courtesy of Grid Architects
Vantage Point
Courtesy of Grid Architects
Vantage Point
Courtesy of Grid Architects

The carefully detailed façade was erected without scaffolding and respects the original ‘three slabs’ massing and its architectural characteristics like solid end shear walls.

The original architects, Oscar Garry, and Partners may have borrowed the technique from the aptly named Dreischeibenhaus in Dusseldorf by Helmut Hentrich and Hubert Petschnigg in the 1950s (now refurbished by HPP Architects).

Residential rental sector’s 24 hours, 100% occupancy with no private parking has proven a boon to local traders with noticeable visual and retail offer improvements.

Projecting indoor amenity spaces illuminate and activate the streets and reduce downdraft to the street corner and bus stop. While the scheme has not had the power to intervene in the public realm and ‘tube’ exits – Vantage Point has acted as a catalyst for development by seeming to be new, bright and active.

Vantage Point
Courtesy of Grid Architects
Vantage Point
Courtesy of Grid Architects

Surrounding post-war blocks are also being recladded and TFL are re-paving roads, cycleways and moving bus stops as part of a major upgrade of the former Archway gyratory.

The greatest change was reserved for the rooftop plant room which is a double height shared amenity space in the form of a bronze box with two roof terraces.

Vantage Point
Courtesy of Grid Architects
Vantage Point
Courtesy of Grid Architects

Using the existing concrete columns a new enclosure has been formed with glazed ends and a mezzanine spanning the middle of the space. Two former plant roof areas have also been turned into amenity decks with amazing views.


Vantage Point
Typical Floor Plan
Vantage Point
Amenity Floor Plan
Vantage Point


Ground Floor Plan


Vantage Point
North Elevation
Vantage Point
East Elevation


Vantage Point
Section 1
Vantage Point
Section 2


Vantage Point
Context Plan
Vantage Point
Apartment Plan

Grid Architektur ZT GmbH
T +43 192 53196
Grid Architektur ZT GmbH
Hammer-Purgstall-Gasse 5/4 A – 1020 Wien, Austria