Repurposing a Petrol Station Site

If there’s one thing we’ve learned makes better buildings, it’s empathy. Architecture never happens in isolation—and simply by being interested and engaged, we’ve found it’s possible to open up the conversations that connect a scheme to its clients and community.

We believe that the more constraints there are, the better the architecture. If there aren’t any constraints, we create them. Challenging sites, existing buildings and complex briefs almost always present incredible opportunities for great design.

To limit our environmental impact, we start with what is already there. By manipulating the form and fabric of a building—whether new or existing—we can work with the existing conditions of topography, light and orientation, and harness the natural energy sources offered by air, ground and water.

If a site’s constraints guide the bigger design decisions, then it’s empathy that informs the smaller, social details. These details frame the human narratives that aren’t included in the brief, anticipating specific moments in the users’ lives.

Good architecture is as much about what happens on the building site as it is about what’s on the drawing board. By working alongside contractors as well as clients we can ring-fence the ideas and details that matter, championing quality and sustainability throughout construction.

Repurposing a Petrol Station Site

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Work

Kennington Road
London Borough of Lambeth

Client

Private Client

This residential project seeks to make best use of tight triangular urban site in South London. This housing scheme will infill an existing Texaco Garage located in between the busy Kennington Road and the Lollard Street Development.

CLTH developed a 'crescent' plan arrangement which defines a public courtyard garden along Kennington Road. This newly created public space will be naturally protected by the large canopy of a mature tree. The housing proposal will be shaped around its canopy while refencing vernacular details drawn form the surrounding context.