Islington Kings Cross: Urban Design Framework

ISLINGTON KINGS CROSS

Contents
Introduction 3
ANALYSIS 4
Historical context 5
Heritage and Conservation 7
Socio-economic context 8
Policy context 9
Mixed use ‘regeneration’ of employment land 10
Movement 13
Land use 14
Environment 15
Sensory analysis 17
Urban form 18
Public realm 21
Triangle site analysis 22
Constraints and Opportunities 24
PROPOSAL 25
Developing a Vision 26
Masterplan Strategies 29
Triangle site illustrative masterplan 32
Conclusion 41
Bibliography and references 42 Herta Gatter
2

Introduction
Kings Cross Islington is a central London area located next to rapidly changing environments that follow the global trend:
transforming employment land into mixed use developments. While regeneration provides opportunities, it often displaces
those who cannot pay the price (Ferm and Jones 2016; Lees 2019). Usually it also comes with a change of environment that
propels commodification and social control at the expense of social need (Edwards 2015). While this is nothing new (Ruth
Glass coined the term “gentrification” when talking about 1960s Islington) the premise of this design research process is that
it is something that could be and should be addressed. While admittedly cities (and should not!) be planned on paper (Rudlin
and Hemani 2019) their change can be shaped. Rudlin argues that the state cities are in is a result of the way that emergent
urban growth interacts with planners’ rules and plans. While Rudlin’s idea of ‘natural’ urban growth might be a construct itself
as I imply in my proposal and I would challenge the notion of necessary growth itself (Nelson and Schneider 2019), the purpose
of this framework is still to provide a frame to contain the way Kings Cross changes and set out ‘rules’ which guide how
change takes place.
Mind map
1
2
This report consists of two parts.
First, it presents an in-depth analysis of the area which I carried out together with Ali Weatherup, Jacob Revell, Louise Dinsdale
and Bethany Griffin. The study area itself is interesting as it encompasses a variety of uses; commercial, residential and
(increasingly disappearing) industrial. This reflects its rich history of including raves and resistance, and been criss-crossed by
transport infrastructure. The two major physical barriers; the canal and the railway lines, have shaped the area’s identity but
also mean that it lacks “joined-upness” which at the first instance makes it seem like isolated in its urban setting. The analysis
uncovered numerous elements that are valuable but hidden, importantly the subterranean River Fleet. (Coursework 1)
Second, it proposes a principle of guidance that I call clutter of wilderness ecology. In reality, a masterplan should be developed
with the participation of those who live and work in the area, but this document can hopefully serve as a starting point
for a framework for urbanism and as illustration of how that can be applied on a site. (Coursework 2)
Masterplan framework boundary
Triangle site boundary
3

4
ANALYSIS

Historical context
Islington was originally known as “Gislandune”, Gisla’s Hill by
the Anglo-saxons.
During the middle ages, much of Islington’s land belonged to
religious institutions, however following the dissolution of the
monasteries in the 16th century, it was taken over by wealthy
aristocratic families (Hidden London, 2020). Located on the
edge of the city, Islington served as a staging post on the
north route from London, seeing large herds of cattle passing
through Islington High Street on the way to Smithfields Market
each year (Ibid, 2020).
As London continued to grow in the 19th century, development
rapidly took hold and rows of brick terraces started to
replace former agricultural farmland. This residential development
was also partly due to the introduction of horse-drawn
omnibuses, which allowed for clerks and artisans to live farther
away from their places of work, turning Islington into a
‘commuter suburb’ (Baggs, Bolton and Croot, 1985; Hidden
London, 2020). At the beginning of the century, Islington’s
population stood at 10,212 and by 1861 it had reached a
total of 155,341 (Baggs, Bolton and Croot, 1985).
Islington experienced widespread social decline in the later
half of the 19th century, with the coming of the railways and
industrial development. It’s middle-class population moved
further away from the city into outer Middlesex and large
houses fell into crowded, multi-occupational use (Ibid, 1985).
Along with the rest of London, the borough suffered significant
wartime bomb damage to it’s housing stock (Baggs,
Bolton and Croot, 1985; Hidden London, 2020). However,
the post-war period sparked the building of a number of municipal
housing estates, including the Priory Green Estate, located
east of the study site. In the 1960’s Islington became
increasingly popular amongst the middle-classes and many
working-class tenants were encouraged to leave their desirable
period properties and relocate elsewhere (Ibid, 1985).
Today Islington remains a gentrified Inner London suburb.
Large parts of the borough have undergone extensive redevelopment
over recent decades, including King’s Cross,
where 67 acres of former industrial brownfield land has
been transformed into a thriving social hub with new homes,
schools, shops and cultural offerings.
Historical and cultural context
Historical development of Islington
Collective memory
Looking at the historical maps of the area one can observe
London’s urban sprawl towards the north, the intensifying influence
of the railway which determines the morphology of the
site. Islington Large wasindustrial originally sites knowndominated as “Gislandune”, the area Gisla’s around Hill by Kings the
Cross Anglo-saxons. since the end of the 19th century until contemporary
times when the area was redeveloped. The maps also reveal
the During changes the middle in the ages, building much offabric Islington’s due land to the belonged Blitz and to religious the severs
institutions, the street however pattern following which the resulted dissolutionin of an the increasing monasteries physical
the isolation 16th century, of the it was Framework taken over Masterplan by wealthy Area. aristocratic For example, families
in
as (Hidden Battlebridge London, 2020). Road Located (pictured onto the the edge right) of was the city, discontinued Islington
after servedthe as a1930s.
staging post on the north route from London, seeing large
1824 (British Library Archives)
herds of cattle passing through Islington High Street on the way to
Smithfields Market each year (Ibid, 2020).
1842-1952 (Digimaps)
1990 (Digimaps)
Contemporary (Digimaps)
As London continued to grow in the 19th century, development
rapidly took hold and rows of brick terraces started to replace former Kings Cross 1930 (Digimaps)
agricultural farmland. This residential development was also partly
due to the introduction of horse-drawn omnibuses, which allowed for
clerks and artisans to live farther away from their places of work,
turning Islington into a ‘commuter suburb’ (Baggs, Bolton and Croot,
1985; Hidden London, 2020). At the beginning of the century, Exploring how the urban fabric of a city changes throughout
Islington’s population stood at 10,212 and by 1861 it had reached a
247) concept of “collective memory” understands the city’s u
for the future”. Rossi proposed that the fabric of a city consi
total of 155,341 (Baggs, Bolton and Croot,1985).
lining streets and squares, which would change over time, an
Islington experienced widespread social decline in the later half of the its particular character and embodied the ‘memory’ of the ci
19th century, with the coming of the railways and industrial
and King’s Cross Station in the early-to-mid 19th century
established street patterns, the former-industrial warehouse
development. It’s middle-class population moved further away from
Victorian townscape. Monuments within the study site also l
the city into outer Middlesex and large houses fell into crowded,
remains visually dominant in scale, Battlebridge Basin, ‘The
Bagley’s multi-occupational Club (Dave use (Ibid, Swindells) 1985).
Housmans Bookshop
historic Goods Yard complex which has been converted into a
Along with the rest of London, the borough suffered significant
King’s Cross: a counter-culture of ‘rave and resistance’ King’s Cross: a counter-culture of ‘rave and resista
wartime bomb damage to it’s housing stock (Baggs, Bolton and Croot,
1985; Hidden London, 2020). However, the post-war period sparked
Unknowingly to visitors of the newly regenerated and upmarket Unknowingly King’s to visitors Cross, ofthe
newly regenerated and upma
the building of a number of municipal housing estates, including the
area has a bold and defiant history. It was once known as has “Battlebridge”, a bold and defiant named history. It was once known as “Bat
Priory Green Estate, located east of the study site. In the 1960’s
after a major battle that supposedly took place on the bridge majorover battlethe thatRiver supposedly Fleet took place on the bridge over th
Islington became increasingly popular amongst the middle-classes
between the Romans and Queen Boudicca of the Iceni tribe. Romans In the and Queen 1970s Boudicca and 80s, of the Iceni tribe. In the 1970s
and many
the area
working-class
housed
tenants
the national
were
offices
encouraged
of number
to leave
of
their
left wing
the
organisations
national offices
and
of number
had
of left wing organisations a
desirable period properties and relocate elsewhere (Ibid, 1985). tradition of radicalism and occupations”. Rave culture was also
developed “a real tradition of radicalism and occupations”. Rave culture was also
Cross during the 80’s and Bagley’s warehouse club became a
alive and kicking in King’s Cross during the 80’s and Bagley’s warehouse club became
a “unifying hub” for ravers escaping the realities of Thatcher’s neoliberalism.
Today Islington remains a gentrified Inner London suburb. Large parts escaping the realities of Thatcher’s neoliberalism. Today, the
of the borough have undergone extensive redevelopment over recent Cross lives on within Housmans Bookshop, the “radical
Today, the subversive spirit of King’s Cross lives on within Housmans Bookshop,
decades, including King’s Cross, where 67 acres of former industrial Caledonian Road. Housmans is owned by the not-for-profit
the “radical booksellers” located on Caledonian Road. Housmans is owned by the
brownfield land has been transformed into a thriving social hub with the building’s upper-floors are let out to progressive group
not-for-profit Peace News Trustees and the building’s upper-floors are let out to
new homes, schools, shops and cultural offerings.
International and Network for Peace.
progressive groups, including War Resisters International and Network for Peace.
Analysis
*This segment is adapted from Jessica Furseth’s article ‘R
*This segment is adapted from Jessica Furseth’s article ‘Raves and resistance: the
hidden history of Kings Cross’ (2019).
hidden history of Kings Cross’ (2019).
5

A hidden element of the collective memory of
the area is the subterranean River Fleet.
People bathed in spas along the lengths of the
ancient River Fleet which emerges from two
springs in Hampstead Heath and descends to
join the Thames at Blackfriars. Grays Inn Road
passed over the river at Battle Bridge. As London’s
population grew the river become polluted
and was piped underground between 1750
and 1850 The river now weaves through King’s
Cross’s spaghetti junction at a depth between
the Victoria line and Northern line. (Public sign)
6Analysis
Exploring how the urban fabric of a city changes throughout the course of time, Rossi’s
(1982, cited in Carmona et al, 2010, p. 247) concept of “collective memory” understands
the city’s urban form to represent “a repository of culture from the past and for the future”.
Rossi proposed that the fabric of a city consists of two main elements: “the general
urban ‘texture’ of buildings lining streets and squares, which would change over time,
and ‘monuments’ large-scale buildings whose presence gave each city its particular
character and embodied the ‘memory’ of the city” (Ibid, 2010, p. 247). The impact of the
coming of Regent’s Canal and King’s Cross Station in the early-to-mid 19th century can
be clearly read within the site’s urban fabric, through the established street patterns, the
former-industrial warehouses bordering the canal, and the predominantly late-Georgian/
early-Victorian townscape. Monuments within the study site also largely stem from this
period and include Kings Cross Station, which remains visually dominant in scale, Battlebridge
Basin, ‘The Cally’ (Caledonian Road) and Granary Square, a former part of the
historic Goods Yard complex which has been converted into an outdoor pseudo-public
square on the banks of Regent’s Canal.
Copperplate map of London (Wikiland)
The Fleet Ditch in 1844 (Wikiland)

Heritage and Conservation and conservation
As explored on the previous page, the study site has a rich cultural and
historical past, and this is embodied in its urban fabric consisting of narrow
fronted late-Georgian/early-Victorian brick terraces, former-industrial
canal warehouses and post-war municipal housing estates. The site is also
home to a range of designated heritage assets, including an archaeology
priority zone; four conservation areas; and a number of statutory and
locally listed buildings. As identified by Nasar (1998, cited in Carmona et al,
2010, p. 169), the historical significance and content of a place is one of
five key attributes that contributes towards creating a “liked” environment
for the observer, provoking “favourable associations” and forming a
distinctive sense of place. Thus, whilst environments should be adaptable
and capable of evolution, it is important to preserve and enhance the
historic character of places, to be able to “... welcome the future and
accommodate the present without severing the thread of continuity with
the past” (Burtenshaw et al, 1991, p. 159, cited in Carmona et al, 2010, p.
247). Conserving the built environment therefore represents a delicate
balance between continuity and change.
Archaeology Priority Area
The site is home to one of Islington’s Archaeological Priority Areas (APA), Regent’s Canal, Basins and Wharves. Regent’s Canal was
constructed in the early part of the 19th century to link the Paddington Arm of the Grand Junction Canal with the River Thames at the
Limehouse Basin in East London. The canal quickly became an important means of transporting local goods and the land to either sides
was developed into wharves, warehouses and depots. City Road Basin, which was originally built along with the canal, proved to be a
success and soon overtook Paddington Basin, operating as a distribution centre for the transportation of goods into London, including
coal, timber and other building materials. The canal’s use began to decline in the 1920s, as road and rail became increasingly
competitive, and by the mid-20th century, much of the surrounding wharf areas were either run down or derelict. The APA is
particularly significant as it contains evidence of the construction and operation of Regent’s Canal, and more broadly, the
industrialisation of London, holding the remains of some of the city’s first industrial warehouses. The canal has played an important role
in shaping the distinctive historic character and urban fabric of the area, and continues to offer opportunities for place-shaping.
Conservation Areas and Listed Buildings
Barnsbury CA (Designated 1969)
● Largest conservation area in Islington and declared to be of outstanding importance.
● Borders the eastern edge of the site, covering the terraces along the upper-stretch of Caledonian Road.
● Predominantly residential, characterised by it’s formal late-Georgian/early-Victorian developments.
● Visually coherent character; well known for it’s fine sequences of squares and terraces.
Keystone Crescent CA (Designated 1970)
● Located south of the site, following the lower stretch of Caledonian Road up to Thornhill Bridge.
● Area developed in the early-to-mid 19th century, partly in response to the development of Caledonian Road.
● Mix of commercial and residential developments; high street shops along Caledonian Road and residential back streets.
● Architectural features include the strong vertical emphasis of properties built on small, narrow fronted plots and traditional
cast iron railings.
King’s Cross CA (Designated 1986)
● Much of the conservation area’s development corresponded with the coming of Kings Cross Station in 1952.
● Townscape maintains a largely Victorian scale and character; remaining subordinate in scale to Kings Cross Station.
● Characterised by the wide variety of ground-floor uses which animate the street level.
2
1
3
Regent’s Canal West CA (Designated 1981)
● Mix of commercial and industrial uses.
● The enclosed nature of the canal is an important part of its character; developments, including C19th wharf buildings, tend to
rise sharply above the water’s edge.
● The canal towpath is also a distinctive feature and provides useful, alternative routes for pedestrians and cyclists.
The site is also home to a number of listed buildings. These are located predominantly south of the site, with the majority of statutory
Grade II listed terraces falling within the Keystone Crescent CA. For example, see the Grade II listed Keystone Crescent (1), 5-11 Balfe
Street (2), and 27-53 Northdown Street (3). Locally listed buildings are heavily concentrated within Kings Cross CA, particularly along
York Way, Pentonville Road, Caledonian Road and Kings Cross Road. A small number of locally listed C19th former industrial
warehouses also border Battlebridge Basin and Regent’s Canal. North of the canal, there are comparatively fewer listed buildings,
creating greater potential for larger and more contemporary developments.
Analysis
Figure 1. Heritage map.
Figure 2. Zoomed in area of heritage map, south of
Regent’s Canal.
Archaeology Priority Area
Regent’s Canal West CA
Keystone Crescent CA
Locally Listed Buildings
1 2 3
King’s Cross CA
Statutory Listed Buildings
Barnsbury CA
Keystone Crescent (Grade II listed).
5-11 Balfe Street (Grade II listed).
27-53 Northdown Street (Grade II listed).
7

Socio-economic context
The study area is located within the London borough of Islington, located within the north of
central London. Islington is bordered to the west by the borough of Camden - the study area
runs along this boundary.
Islington is the second smallest borough in London. Inhabitants of the borough are diverse and
varied, with regards to socio-economic indicators such as employment, education and
ethnicity. There is considerable wealth divide between the post-war social housing estates
and the professional classes that occupy the terraced housing located mostly to the east of
Caledonian Road, in the neighbouring Banbury Ward.
The borough is the sixth most deprived in London and the fifty-third most deprived in England.
In terms of income deprivation, Islington is the most deprived in London. Consequently, an
average of 70% of monthly wages are spent on rent.
This inequality is compounded in the Bemerton Estate, a post war social housing project that
spans most of the northern part of the study site. The estate was constructed after many
historic industrial uses were ended following WW2. The estate contrasts starkly against the
gentrified terraces to the east, the office hub surrounding Kings Cross to the south and the
numerous luxury high rise projects to the north of Kings Cross, across the border in
neighbouring Camden.
Source: ONS, Islington Borough Ward Profiles.
“The Caledonian Road has always been a firebreak: a dividing line between a fitful
affluence to the east and the consistent deprivation to the west.” (The Secret
History of Our Streets: Caledonian Road, BBC, 2012).
8Analysis
This actors map illustrates
the spectrum of
stakeholders looking to
shape the future of the
study area.
The concentric lines
indicate the distance of the
actor from the study area,
whereas red and green lines
indicate positive and
negative relationships
between stakeholders,
respectively.
STILL NEED TO DO THIS!
- 120
120 - 180
180 - 220
220 +
Population Density
(people per hectare)
The map demonstrates that
the densest location in the
study area is the Bemerton
Estate. Elsewhere, density
levels tend to be at a
reasonable level for an innercity
location. The areas of the
map displaying the least
density are either largely office
focussed or dominated by nonresidential
uses.
£300,000 - £400,000
£400,000 - £500,000
£500,000 - £600,000
£600,000 +
Median Residential
Property Value
Residential property is
generally more expensive to
the south of the site, closer to
significant
amenity
infrastructure such as Kings
Cross and other city centre
features. There is a diversity in
quality of residential
accomodation but property
prices are notably lower
amongst the Council owned
and former social housing
estates towards the north of
the site.
Venerable pensioners
Students and young professionals
Venerable Communities
Consumer Venerability
The consumer vulnerability
map identifies the
predominant category of
residents within residential
areas. It shows that the
residential properties to the
north of the canal are still
occupied by venerable
residents, especially within
the housing estates in the
interior of the site. The area
marked as largely
pensioners correlates with
the location of the Harry
Weston housing cooperative
housing
association.
Source: CDRC Maps (https://maps.cdrc.ac.uk/)

Analysis
Policy context
9

Mixed use ‘regeneration’ of employment land
Mixed use ‘regeneration’ of employment land
Policy-led mixed use regeneration is leading to a loss of needed
inner-city industrial - or more broadly - employment land. Ferm
and Jones (2016) found that planning authorities are promoting
mixed-use redevelopment of employment sites, even where
there are thriving businesses and a shortage of employment
premises. Changes in policy are supporting rather than
responding to dezindustrialisation and in this way are
contributing to loss of jobs and the displacement of (primarily
small) businesses and undermining the delivery of affordable
housing. Industrial employment in London in the period 2010 to
2015 is estimated to have increased by around 4%, which could
represent a reversal of the longer-term trend of decline in
industrial employment. (AECOM 2015)
Locally Significant
Industrial Sites
Strategic Industrial
Locations
Non-Designated
Industrial sites
The Land for Industry and Transport Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG)
(2012) established targets or benchmarks for the release of industrial land over the
period 2011 to 2031. The rate of release between 2010 and 2015 was 101ha per
annum - 2.7 times the eqivalent SPG target rate of release for the same period in
the whole of London. The benchmark for Islington was 2h whereas in reality 24 ha
(12 times more) was released between 2010-2015.
Total in Industrial Land Stock 2001 to 2015
There is evidence that some industrial businesses require space
for small-scale production and prototyping and rely on access to
a skilled workforce, specialist manufacturing activities and
agglomeration benefits found in London. These businesses may
find it harder to be economically viable if forced to relocate
outside London. The displacement of employment land from
central areas also contributes to longer transport times,
congestion and thus also increased carbon emissions (AECOM
2015).
Rydin’s (2013 cited in Ferm and Jones 2016) argues that
planning in the UK has become ‘growth-dependent’ and, as
funding for the direct provision of public services is squeezed,
planners rely on planning gain to secure social and community
benefits, and have little choice but to support property
development. Care is needed at a local level to be clear on what
industry is being protected and to ensure that policies are
sufficiently robust to protect them.
Industrial land in London. Source: AECOM 2015
Change in Industrial Land Stock 2001 to 2005
by Property Market Area
Source: AECOM 2015
Analysis
1999 2010
Urban Task Force report brownfield
first policy
a sequential approach to the release of
land and buildings for housing, so that
previously developed land and buildings
get used first
Strategic areas for regeneration. Source: GLA Planning
and DCLG (2017)
Abandonment of the sequential approach
Conservative–Liberal Democrat Coalition
Government policy
2016
Extending Permitted Development Rights
Conservative Government - extending
Permitted Development Rights to facilitate
conversions of offices and light industrial
premises to housing
Managed release
London Plan– transition of land use has been
actively planned through targets for the
‘managed release’ of industrial land
10

Reasons for mixed-use redevelopment of employment land:
Islington benchmark is 2 ha, 24 ha was released one of the largest
overreleases, most of it between 2010-2015 (AECOM 2015). The north of
the site is still designated as locally significant industrial land, however the
neighbouring Kings Cross development together with the Triangle site is
now designated as part of the Central Activities Zone. However, as the
below diagram illustrates there are active industrial or light industrial
businesses operating outside the designated area. The awkwardly shaped
spaces created by the railways crossing that would not work as residential
areas both because of the layout and noise have been occupied by
industrial uses over the years.
planning valorizes certain land uses and forms of economic activity
over others, with a particular emphasis placed on housing
ideas around what makes a good city rooted in Jane Jacob’s
seminal work 1961 that promoted mix of uses while industrial uses
are being discounted from the mix
THERE IS INEQUALITY IN
HOW URBAN
RESTRUCTURING
AFFECTS
STAKEHOLDERS
Released industrial land (left) and released industrial land compared to the benchmark (right).
Source: AECOM 2015
Unintended consequences:
loss of needed employment land
under permitted development rights, offices can be converted into
homes without planning permission – and therefore with no
scrutiny of design quality and without developers’ contributions to
local infrastructure or affordable housing (Clifford et al 2018)
poor quality commercial space, not enough mass ‘redevelopment
of multiple occupancy workshops and industrial spaces with the
loss of many cheaper industrial and office premises’ (Foord 2010)
Analysis
Locally significant industrial land.
Source: Islington 2020
Industrial land use
Triangle site boundary
11

King’s Cross
“King’s Cross was once the epicentre of the second Summer of
Love, but there’s nothing about it to hint at that these days: take a
walk across the newly regenerated Granary Square and you’ll find a
clean, upmarket development with kids playing in fountains and
young professionals hanging out on fake grass. It’s strange to think
that, during one fabled summer in 1988, rave culture was coming up
in that same spot, with giant warehouses full of happy, sweaty
people dancing to acid house until the morning.” (Furseth 2019)
Regeneration policies of this type of mixed-use
employment land go hand in hand with a narrative of
‘cleaning up the city’ (Udvarhelyi 2002). The King’s Cross
development, which is the next door neighbour of the area
between Yorkway and Cally Road and includes the
Triangle Site itself, is clearly representative of this process.
The King’s Cross Partnership’s strategy to first characterise
the locality as ‘run-down, dirty, crime-ridden, deprived and
so on; and then (perhaps after some actual changes have
occurred) it is given a new characterisation as vibrant,
creative, safe(r) and desirable’ (Edwards 2009: 9) is a
method of state-led gentrification employed similarly as a
justification for the demolition of council estates (Lees and
White 2019). This narrative of creating vibrant mixed use
developments while imposing control is alike the classical
modernist agenda that objected to the ‘slums’ of 18 th
century cities as aesthetically failed standards of order and
potentially revolutionary menace to authorities (Le
Corbusier cited in Scott 1998).
On the positive side we see a strong affirmation of stylish
urban settings, lots of careful design and very strong
market demand for premises. On the negative side we see
few defences against gentrification, few youth clubs or
non-commodity meeting places and a very private sort of
environment. When we see who can afford to live or do
business here in a decade from now we shall surely find a
much less socially mixed set of people
Analysis
While the development is generally regarded as a good one for its
efforts in community engagement, meanwhile uses and investment
in infrastructure, I identified two interlocking issues related to
commodification:
1 BUSINESS
2
Its limited provision of affordable housing (33%), strong provision of
corporate office space and expensive retail and leisure facilities are
exemplary for the type regeneration representative of the whole of
London: while there are only concessions made to low- and middleincome
people in whose name regeneration was developed, the
process business activity aimed at growth and competitiveness. ‘It is an
acute conflict of use values and exchange values, social need versus
commodification.’ (Edwards 2009: 23)
ORDER
The estate (apart from some streets) is privately owned by the
developer Argent and a pension fund called AustralianSuper. While
the public has access, the private ownership means that what look
like public space are actually securitised (and consumption-oriented)
spaces where what is allowed is at the disgrace of the owners. The
large site was designed as part of one masterplan which while
retaining good design qualities in some sense, created ‘a whole new
piece of London’ (Kings Cross website) that is so new and polished it
feels like a non-place (Augé) and does not value/eradicate the
unregularised Kings Cross area that it used to be – with its rave
culture and history of social movements. Although Jacobs (1961) and
many others have shown how top down modernist planning does not
actually succeed in eradicating unorderliness, relying on Adorno and
Horkheimer’s (1973) analysis of the commercialisation of culture I
would argue that this sort of prescriptive and business oriented urban
design encourages loss of autonomy, renders people docile and
restricts creativity.
(Edwards 2009: 23)
Up past the King’s Cross
development, beyond York Way, the
railway lands are still unpolished and
wild – a bit grotty and useless, but ripe
with possibilities for the future. London
will never stop evolving, but in
between all the rush we need these
spaces that lack ambition – because
they give the city space to dream.
(Furseth 2019)
??????????
“There was rhetoric about the Cally being a
?
forgotten land, like a wild west where things
never quite happened,” said Mr Hammoudan. At
a ward partnership meeting in November, some
residents were anxious that the multi-million
pound King’s Cross development set to open in
three years – which includes a 67-acre office,
accommodation and entertainment complex –
would detract Caledonian business.
(http://islingtonnow.co.uk/)
12

Public transport
Connectivity and permeability
Movement
One of the most important opportunities of the study area is the proximity to public transport connections. King’s
Cross station is on six underground lines: Circle, Hammersmith and City, Piccadilly, Northern, Metropolitan and
Victoria lines, making it an important link to London. It also has several national rail lines to northern England and
Scotland and the Channel Tunnel Rail Link to Paris, Brussels, Lille and Amsterdam. The south side of the study area,
adjacent to King’s Cross Station, has the highest possible Public Transport Accessibility Level (6b), showing it’s
excellent public transport connections. Comparatively, the northern end of the site has a predominantly low to
medium PTAL (1-4) and accessibility is particularly limited around the Triangle Site.
The study area is also in close proximity to the Overground station Caledonian Road & Barnsbury.
The area is also well connected on bus routes and there are numerous cycle docking stations.
Adapted from: www.openstreetmap.org
Space syntax
This diagram shows the connectivity of the area. There are clear major barriers to
permeability: the canal, railway line and imposing station buildings.
The study area is between two major arteries York Way and Caledonia Road, the
former has the opportunity to become an important spine; and the latter is already a
busy, active street. Pentonville Road to the south, is already an established route.
There is a clear grid pattern in the south part of the area below the canal, however,
the northern section where the modernist housing estates have erased the original
streets and created a confusing and illegible pattern.
The King’s Cross Regeneration area to the west of York Way has seen great
improvements to permeability with a strong emphasis on walking and cycling routes.
The parts which appear to be blank are still under construction.
Source: www.spacesyntax.com
Space Syntax analyses use Bill Hillier’s model, which involves complex axial mapping and
mathematical techniques, to explore the relationship between movement (primarily
pedestrian) and the configuration of urban space i.e. ‘natural movement’. It is based
around the idea that movement is determined by the structure of the urban grid rather
than the presence of specific attractors or land uses. He argues that the organisation of
space, and more specifically its effect on visual permeability is the most important factor
in determining the way people move through the urban environment. There are two
factors which form the analysis:
● Connectivity - the number of directly connected lines
● Integration - how easy it is to reach a specific line - the more integrated a line,
the more movement along it (Carmona et al, 2010)
Space Syntax modeling for the study area shows the most activity along lines in red and
the least amount of activity in blue.
This provides an interesting analysis of movement especially when compared against the
Connectivity diagram as it provides information about how little movement is occurring
even where routes do exist. The residential estates in the north of the study area, show
blue lines which indicates that these routes are not very integrated; and by implication
that the environment is not easily traversable.
Some routes, for example the area directly above the canal, do not appear on the Space
Syntax at all, which presents an opportunity for future development to improve these
connections. It also shows York Way and Caledonian Road as being the most integrated
(red) which gives an indication of where future land uses could be placed based on foot
flow, as red lines have more potential activity along them.
Analysis
13

Land use
A detailed inventory of different classifications of land uses for the study area can aid in decisions on where future uses would be most appropriate. This
analysis allows for a more general summation of land use as shown.
Summary of land uses
The area to the north of the canal is
predominantly residential, consisting of social
housing estates built in the 1970s when the
historic street pattern and terraced houses were
replaced with a modernist estate. The old street
pattern is shown in Figure X, a map of the area
from the 1920s.
There is a strong sense of the high street along
the Caledonian Road, made up of independent
shops and businesses to serve the residents of
the estates. This should be preserved and
enhanced in future development frameworks, as
an asset for the working class community.
The other active frontages in the south of the
study area should also be preserved with the
opportunity to extend along York Way to create a
more integrated spine leading to the north.
Analysis
Historic map showing the northern part of
the study area in the 1920s
The King’s Cross Regeneration area to the west of
the study area, hosts a variety of uses, with high
end retail, offices, restaurants and upmarket
homes. The regeneration of this area may leave
the inhabitants on the other side of York Way
feeling excluded as they cannot afford the
expensive price tags.
The south of the study area is dominated by
King’s Cross Station and St Pancras Station,
where a commercial district has developed
consisting of offices and businesses. There are
residential developments interweaved between
offices and shops.
The triangle site on the northern edge of the
study area has been used for industrial purposes
since the removal of various railway tracks
(shown in Figure X).
14
Adapted from: Google maps
Source: Digimaps

Environment
Biodiversity and topography
Biodiversity and topography
The site has a number of blue and green spaces, some of which are designed as Sites of Nature
Conservation Interest. Importantly the Canal cuts across the site which is not only a valuable natural
asset but a West-East connection as well.
The site has a number of blue and green spaces, some of which are designed as Sites of Nature
Conservation Interest. Importantly the Canal cuts across the site which is not only a valuable
The canal, the green area next to the railway, Bingfield park and green spaces within housing
natural asset but a West-East connection as well.
The blocks canal, the are green opportunities area next for to biodiversity the railway, Bingfield and amenity park space and green enhancement. spaces within housing
blocks There are are opportunities two clean for routes biodiversity going through and amenity the site, space with enhancement. Pentonville Road on the South identified
There as are a particularly two clean routes polluted going one through by Islington the site, Council with Pentonville (Policy Map). Road on the South identified as
a particularly The site topography polluted one has by Islington a slight height Council increase (Policy Map). towards the North with the Triangle Site being
The sort site topography of a ‘basin’. has The a site slight topography height increase (see image towards 1) the also North allows with for the the Triangle underground Site being River sort Fleet
of a channels ‘basin’. The (see site image topography 2 and (see 3) to image direct 1) the also watercourse allows for the towards underground the Thames. River Fleet Image 4 shows the
channels shape (see of the image Thames 2 and basin 3) to direct as a cross-section the watercourse where towards many the further Thames. London Image rivers 4 shows and the tributaries
shape rise of and the Thames flow. basin as a cross-section where many further London rivers and tributaries
rise and flow.
“We rarely think of London in terms of its topography, flattened out in our minds by tube journeys
“We and rarely bus think routes. of London Cross city in terms cyclists of its tell topography, a different flattened story, feeling out our the minds river valleys by tube in their
tightening journeys calves.” and bus routes. (The Lost Cross Byway.com city cyclists 2018) tell a different story, feeling the river valleys in
their tightening calves.” (REF)
Triangle Site
Bingfield Park
2 3 Source: 1010UK
Analysis
1
4
15

Energy
Energy
Islington Council is very progressive in terms of experimentation with sustainable energy production. The
council undertook the heat mapping of the borough in 2009 and identified 14 heat ‘clusters’ which represent
Council opportunities is very progressive for heat in terms network of development. A heat network is a distribution system of insulated
Islington
experimentation pipes that with takes sustainable heat from energy a central source to heat consumers - thereby saving costs as well as reducing
production. carbon. The council Map 3 undertook shows the the heat clusters in the area: King’s Cross and King’s Place just to the south of the
mapping Canal of the are borough the main 2009 ones. and Geographical identified 14 locations of tube lines are also highlighted as Islington is reusing
heat ‘clusters’ waste which heat from represent the underground opportunities for elsewhere (Dezeen.com 2020). The subterranean water channels are
heat network development. A heat network is a
also shown as they are another potential source of heat (10:10 Climate Action 2018)
distribution system of insulated pipes that takes
heat from a central source to heat consumers -
thereby Map saving 1 costs is showing as well the as reducing modal Energy carbon. Performance Certificate rating of buildings in the area. The majority of
Map 3 shows the site the is heat C, with clusters a few in the D and area: few A sections (the latter being new builds).
King’s Cross The top and central King’s Place heating just type to the in south the area is gas, but there are a a few buildings which are heated electrically
or are through the main other ones. sources. Geographical
of the Canal
locations of tube lines are also highlighted as
Islington is reusing waste heat from the
underground elsewhere (REF). The
subterranean water channels are also shown as
they are another potential source of heat (REF)
Analysis
Map 1 is showing the modal Energy
Performance Certificate rating of buildings in the
area. The majority of the site is C, with a few D
and few A sections (the latter being new builds).
The top central heating type in the area is gas,
but there are a a few buildings which are heated
electrically or through other sources.
1 2
Heat network example. Source: Buro Happold Ltd
Islington Borough CDRC Energy (2011) Mapping 2014
1 2
CDRC (2011)
Rail
Approximate tubeline
location
Rail
Proposed heat network
Approximate
tubeline
location Underground river
channels
Proposed
heat River network Fleet
Potential heat supply
River Fleet
Sewage sites
River Fleet
Old York Road
Potential station heat
supply sites
3
Source: Own research and London Heat Map
REF
16

Sensory analysis
This page is concerned with how the environment of the study area
impacts upon the user. Environmental perception, as Carmona
outlines, is primarily stimulated by vision, hearing, smell and touch.
(Carmona, 87). Analysing these sensory experiences help contribute
to a richness in understanding an area’s sense of place.
Vision is explored in the serial vision below. Touch, or the experience
of moving through the area, is explored in both the Lynch analysis and
the serial vision. Smell and hearing are illustrated in the sensory map.
Guardian Offices
Sits alongside canal / marks
gateway to commercial district
of site / striking modern
architecture contrasts older
adjacent buildings
Landmark/Node Drawings
The Cally Bridge
Gateway to the site from the
north / distinctive meeting
point / re-enforces local
identity for surrounding
businesses.
Kings Cross Station
Major transport hub /
provides gateway into the
area / large gathering and
dwelling space on front
concourse
Commercial District
Industrial District
Residential District
Paths
Edges
Nodes
Landmarks
Lynch Analysis
The adjacent analysis is inspired
by the methods outlined by Lynch
in The Image of the City (1961).
Nodes in the area are
predominantly located around
junctions, whereas landmarks can
be located in less prominent
locations, and can be used to
navigate the less obviously legible
interior elements of the site. A
lack of clear landmarks within the
northern interior contributes to
legibility issues. There is no clear
route through the Bemerton
Estate, and the lack of clear
movement creates a somewhat
confusing experience when
moving through this part of the
area.
There are a number of hard
borders in the site, particularly
driven by the rail infrastructure
that borders much of the north
and west of the site. Elsewhere,
there are clear character
differentiations between areas
predominantly used for
residential, commercial and
industrial purposes.
Sensory Map
The purpose of the sensory map is to
illustrate the experience of using the
area, in accompaniment to visualisations
of the built form.
The information has been compiled from
a combination of SmellyMaps
(goodcitylife.org) and the Extrium online
noise viewer. The categorisation of the
smell types is based on dominant odours
in the area, which is based on geotagged
internet data. This is a simplistic
way of displaying the complexity of
smells, but gives some indication as to
how parts of the study area are currently
experienced.
Unsurprisingly, food smells dominate
many of the busy streets. However,
these are often offset by emission
smells, notably around junctions and
most prominently around Kings Cross.
Noise is generally restricted to busy
roads and junctions.
Waste
Animals
Nature
Food
Emi ssi ons
Noi se
Nature smells are generally
prominent within residential
areas, but emissions are
also often prominent.
Several large residential
blocks have issues with
excessive waste smells
towards their interiors.
The serial vision below displays the visual qualities of the area through illustrations of a walk undertaken around
the area in February 2020. The route of the walk is clarified on the map to the far side of the serial vision.
YORK WAY/ CONTRAST OF
ACTIVE AND INACTIVE
FRONTAGES / OPEN, WIDE
STREET
YORK WAY / CONVERTED
INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS /
BUSY STREET DOMINATED
BY BUSES
YORK WAY / COMMERCIAL AND
RESIDENTIAL MIXED USES TO
EAST / CONTRAST VERSUS
SPACE OCCUPIED BY RAIL LINES
REGENTS CANAL / TRANQUIL
ATMOSPHERE / POSITIVE SENSORY
EXPERIENCES / BARRIERS TO
EITHER SIDE OF NARROW PATH
CALEDONIAN ROAD / RETAIL
FRONTAGES OFFER A MORE LOCAL
FEEL / SPACIOUS / SOME BLANK
FRONTAGES AND VACANT UNITS
TWYFORD STREET / JUNCTION
DOMINATED BY PETROL
STATION / CALLY POOL SERVES
AS LOCAL LANDMARK
Analysis
Key Takeaways?
YORK WAY / EXTENT OF
COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT TO
CAMDEN BORDER REVEALED /
WIDE ROAD DIVIDES HISTORIC
AND NEW BUILDINGS
RUFFORD STREET / INDUSTRIAL
LAND IS OBSCURED FROM STREET
LEVEL / DISUSED AND INDUSTRIAL
BUILDINGS CONTRAST AGAINST
NEWLY CONSTRUCTED HIGH RISE
ACCOMMODATION
BINGFIELD PARK / OPEN GREEN
SPACE TO EDGE OF ESTATE /
SITS ALONGSIDE NEWLY BUILT
RESIDENTIAL BLOCK.
CARNOUSTIE DRIVE / ENTIRELY
RESIDENTIAL/ REAR ELEVATIONS
OF CALEDONIAN ROAD
PROPERTIES CREATE DEAD
FRONTAGE TO THE EAST
BEMERTON ESTATE / BUILT UP /
DIFFICULT TO NAVIGATE THROUGH /
SPACIOUS BETWEEN BUILDINGS
17

Analysis
Urban form
Wider look
A wider look onto the morphology of the site reveals that is not seamlessly integrated into the urban structure.
The rail lines, main vehicular roads and the canal mark the borders of areas in different patterns. The modernist
estates also show a significant parting from older street patterns. The King’s Cross development has already
changed the morphology of the area, but when it is completed it will decidedly change the way the area between
York Way and Caledonia Road relate to its surroundings. The nature of this change will be determined by the kind
of response the area provides (if any at all).
18

Building density
In depth analysis of the framework masterplan
site with the help of the Emu Analytics tool and
3d modelling clearly shows a middle-range urban
density, which however is varying in degree
across the site. It is higher than the Islington
average but that is primarily due to the high
density and tall building around King’s Cross
Station. Urban intensification of the area might
be desirable but should take into consideration
surrounding environment and be ‘gentle’.
Emu Analytics 2014/2015
density index=total building
volume/total land area
2.4
2.3
2.5
2.7
2.8
2.1
3.1
2.5
0.85 2.6
0.23
2.2
3.7
3.1
2.7
5.6
7.6
5.4
3.7
6.4
4.7
5.3
4.3
3.6
4.7
3.6 4.9
4.0
Analysis
19

Character areas and typologies
The framework masterplan site is diverse in character and at places
undergoing significant change. Most noticeably, York Way is a
dividing line between the new King’s Cross development’s tall residential
buildings (6) to the West and the industrial uses to the East.
Caledonia Road is a dividing line as well between 20th century
residential buildings (notably the Bemerton estate [1]) to the West
and classical Georgian terraced houses of Barnsbury. Caledonia
Road is a high street with Victorian architecture and a strong local
character. The area south of the canal presents primarily employment
typologies, and a number of landmark buildings on Pentonville
Road, such as the Chapter, SOAS university accommodation
and modern office buildings (5). Further East on Pentonville Road
one can still find examples of the building typology characteristic
of its industrial past: several storey residential buildings with single
storey shop and workshop additions.
7. No. 178 Pentonville Road in the 1930s
Source: Temple 2008
4
1
2
Analysis
20
1 2
3
4
5
6
6
26+
21-26
16-20
10-15
21th century residential
Victorian High Street
Post-war estate
Green area
Mixed
Low rise late 20th century
Classical Georgian terraced
3
Late 20th century big block
Mixed warehouse style employment
5
Contemporary high rise mixed use
Early 19th century tall brick
Industrial
Victorian school
Contemporary high rise commercial
Source: Own research and Islington (2018) Tall building study
Source: Own research and Islington (2018) Tall building study

Analysis
Public realm
21

Triangle site analysis
The Triangle Site has primarily industrial-related
use at the time of writing, in 2020. Currently
it is occupied by a CEMEX concrete
plant, a construction skills centre established
as part of the King’s Cross development and
associated outdoor storage.
The site is bisected by the rail running towards
King’s Cross.
There are a couple of buildings structures
related to railway uses and a relatively large
lawn area with a few trees.
Relatively steep level differences make the
site to be shaped as a basin.
The Northern tip of the site is a green area
adjacent to residential buildings and provides
a great view of the site.
6
5
Industrial education centre
Concrete plant
Rail-related building
Industrial outdoor storage
Other industrial buildings and land
Green areas
Analysis
2
3
Rail
Wall
Fence
Primary on-site movement line
Secondary on-site movement line
Road
1
4
Height difference
View
Access point
22

Analysis
1
2
3
4
5
6
23

Analysis
Constraints and Opportunities
Comprehensive analysis of the area has revealed that development for the study
area would face a number of challenges but also has many opportunities to
offer.
24

PROPOSAL
25

Framework masterplan
Developing a Vision
An important part of developing this urban design framework was to establish a vision, that is
not prescriptive or utopistic but normative and inspirational. The analysis revealed that what
seems like a collection of isolated spaces are still interlinked. Understanding the production
of boundaries reveal the socio-spatial forces that are at play: ‘space is never empty: it always
embodies a meaning’ (Lefebvre 1991).
The masterplan for the Triangle site is planned to a be a heterotopia in Foucauldian terms.
Foucault outlined (1986) in ‘Of other spaces’ that in comparison to utopias that are unreal,
fantastic and perfected spaces, heterotopias are real, existing ‘counter-sites’ that simultaneously
represent, contest and invert structures around them. While the new Triangle site will
inevitably reproduce some of the inequalities and oppressions around it, it would also hopefully
reveal and challenge the rules of current trends of urban development that leads to social
cleansing, loss of employment land and more generally planetary dispossession and ecological
demise (Weston 2012).
26

A Framework for Urbanism
clutter ecology wilderness
WILDLIFE – RAVE - CLUTTER
SUPPORTIVE SYSTEMS
HETEROTOPIAS
Mirror Labyrinth _ Jeppe Hein
Forest Spiral _ Hundertwasser
To design a sustainable infrastructure that allows for wilderness-clutter,
a way of being that breaks down the divide between
‘nature’ and ‘built form’, through protecting and encouraging a variety
of creative activities and inhabitations.
Kings Cross _Keystone Crescent public sign
RAVE-WILD
NOT: branding, order, uncluttered, clean, tyranny of legibility, easy to
dominate and control, nature-culture divide, consumption focus
YES: Wildlife, urban clutter, grassroots, metabolic, ecosystem, harmony,
symbiosis, fun, playful, experimentation, difference, variety, self-sustenance,
community-sustenance, autogestion, mixing, rest, experience,
getting lost, adaptable, enthusiasm, incoherence, liveliness, bonds, creation
WITH: unsureness, empathy, humility, fairness, personal(ised), collectivity,
integration, justice, process, combination
Water, plants, animals, humans, built materials, grown materials
Gardens, orchards, biological concrete
Symbiosis _ Aleksandr Cebotariov, Laura
Kuršvietyt
Bagley’s Club
Wheatfield, a confrontation _ Agnes Denes
Deptford market _ Alamy
Framework masterplan
simulation of a vegetated biological
concrete _ Universitat de Catalunya
27

Objectives
Framework masterplan
• Clutter it!
• ‘Organic’ system not visual order
• Sustainable energy network, green network
• Protect existing small local businesses and encourage more
to open
• Encourage variety and personalisation
• Encourage creative activity
• Provide affordable and co-housing
• Enhance permeability within the site but not necessarily with
the KX development to protect the locality
• Places to be enjoyed by residents of the Bemerton Estate
and other non-wealthy locals
• Seize opportunity created by the coronavirus to adapt to
sustainable transport - more/better public transport, more
streets pedestrian cycle only, designated car routes where it
makes sense
• Seize/highly tax empty buildings - Get an empty property
back into use (Islington Council project)
28

Masterplan Strategies
Energy strategy
Green spaces and public realm strategy
Energy in the area should be
provided from sustainable sources
wherever possible and made
efficient through a decentralised
heat network system. Two CHP
(Combined Heat and Power
plant) centres are proposed: heat
should be extracted from the
River Fleet in Somerstown (10:10
UK) and waste heat from the
Northern Line should be extracted
through the old York Way
station.
To address lack of harmony with nature and threats
of climate change green spaces should be improved.
Public spaces, which can include the street,
squares and roofs are to be enhanced to encourage
social interaction
Installation of green sustainable drainage
systems to address surface level ground
water issues
Canal-side enhancement with extensive
greening
Installation of permeable pavement drainage
allowing rain water to flow into the
River Fleet sewage to address flood risk
Establishment of new open space
Open space improvement area
Framework masterplan
Heat network example. Source: Buro Happold Ltd Islington Borough Energy Mapping
2014
29

Strategy for variety
Variety should be addressed on three levels of design:
and understood to support:
adaptability and personalisation
Tubingen’s Baugruppen model
Great efforts should be put into involving future tenants in the design
of spaces and buildings.
As it is not possible to engage all future tenants, ground floor units
should be always freely adapted by those who occupy them and at
minimum for rented residential accommodation the right to one’s
window should be established. Existing houses should be renovated
together with those who live in them.
Framework masterplan
Rather than large developments plots should be divided small
enough to be affordable to buy and build for individuals or small
groups. Inspired by Tubingen’s Baugruppen model (see above)
groups should be able apply to develop parcels and receive
support from the council if they need it.
A variety of building typologies for a variety of tenures should
be built by the council itself in order to minimise the risk of
investment and provide space for small businesses or those
who cannot afford to buy. A number of bare ground floor units
should be established with (electricity connection but nothing
else - see to the right) and let cheaply. The price will allow small
enterprises to invest in opening and the design will allow for
personalisation.
“Man must have the freedom to lean out of his window and to
change his outside wall as far as his arm can reach
dwelling is a human right and and dwelling means the freedom
to change and recreate the outside walls to your human needs
which are different from the architects’ prefabricated formal
dictatorship
it is not only our right but duty to enforce individual creativity in
unifromed sterilised prefabricated housing
man has three skins: his body outsides, his clothing and his
house”
Hundertwasser 1985 Das Haus
Bemerton Estate re-imagined. Inspiration from Hundertwasser, house-doctor
30

Movement and transport strategy
Layout and morphology strategy:
NEW SHARED SURFACE ROAD
THROUGH THE TRIANGLE SITE
NEW CONNECTION TO THE
CALLY
REINSTATE BATTLEBRIDGE
ROAD
Predicted space syntax:
green to red - low to high
Reinstated York Way
station
Enhanced cycling infrastructure
while retaining
car access for businesses
Framework masterplan
31

Framework masterplan
Triangle site illustrative masterplan
Concept development
The illustrative masterplan fro the Triangle site was developed
through an iterative cycle of design process following
the strategies set out in the framework. Design from the
‘inside-out’ concept needs and internal building layouts determined
the socio- spatial arrangements. The masterplan being
illustrative, this is not a definite blueprint, but a framework to
guide the development of the site.
The masterplan controls building volume, sets out ideas
about how the site will interface with the environment, development
parcels, where there should be buildings and where
spaces, and the main axes of movement.
A number of images visualise the overall concept for the site
and demonstrate what spaces could become if the masterplan
strategies are followed.
32

Illustrative masterplan
Framework masterplan
33

1
6
2
7
9
7
5
4
5
Framework masterplan
11
8
10
3
2
34

1
Wilderness-clutter. Embrace it!
Cats world _ Evgeny Leshchenko
Framework masterplan
35

2
Decentralised sustainable heat system and fun use of space through including
an underground club. Rave!
Framework masterplan
3
Shared surface road with active frontages through the site. It almost feels
like Europe.
36

5
Biological cement laboratory and production. Moss doesn’t actually only
grow on the North side of tree.
4
York Way Station and CHP. The London Underground played an
important role in the development of corporate branding. Ah well,
if it’s sustainable and public let’s enjoy its design!
Bunhill 2 Energy Centre _ Islington
Old York Way station
Biological cement _ Universitat de Catalunya
Framework masterplan
37

Framework masterplan
6
Green spot with a view accessible through a pedestrian path from York Road
and from Caledonian Road. Do you want a beer?
7
Sustainability hub with offices, laboratory and social space on the
ground floor opening up to communal allotments. Leeks are my favourite
vegetables. Is that controversial?
38

8
Heterotopia rooftop garden above the trainline. What will you find?
Matadero _ Andreas Jaque
9
Open space with flexible structures for events, markets
and gatherings. Everything is possible.
Genossenschaft Kalkbreite _
Müller Sigrist Architekten
Genossenschaft Kalkbreite _
Müller Sigrist Architekten
Framework masterplan
39

10
Small business on the ground floor, co-working and co-living spaces on upper floors.
Finally, a new development that’s as interesting as the ones they are usually trying to
regenerate!
Framework masterplan
11
Shared courtyard to the new co-working and living blocks and
the construction skill centre to allow for experimentation and
playful activities. Green rooftop gallery along around the courtyard
and massing to allow for sunlight. That looks like where I
would build something crazy!
40

Conclusion
?????????????????
Framework masterplan
41

Bibliography and references
Analysis
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