In a year when the world has focused on two things – the climate crisis and the pandemic – architects are able to play a key role in shaping the future of our cities. PDP London has focused on the need to embrace and restore, producing high quality, sustainable and responsive designs that adapt to our changing world.
In 2021 PDP London took deep pride in working on projects with exemplary sustainability credentials, ensuring continued use and longevity for beautiful heritage buildings. Its designs provide flexibility and adaptability for the future, and it has collaborated on forward-thinking initiatives to promote climate resilience, while above all else, supporting communities. Equal satisfaction comes from its certification as a Carbon Neutral Plus Organisation, offsetting twice its carbon footprint.
PDP London recently completed Auriens Chelsea, a flagship later-living development in the heart of London. The spaces adapt to the changing needs of those living there as they grow older, emphasising community and companionship, values even more appreciated during the pandemic. ‘PDP London brought to life our vision to make Auriens the gold standard for later living with thoughtful design and meticulous detail,’ says David Meagher, CEO of Auriens Group. ‘Subtle yet essential details enable us to offer residents a homely environment which is adaptable and caters to their every need.’
Chelsea Barracks, awarded a LEED Platinum certification for neighbourhood design, features 13 townhouses that are a 21st-century evolution of the Georgian archetype. Designed for longevity and flexibility, these energy-efficient, comfortable and future-proof homes have access to extensive amenities and public spaces. With areas of green roofs and carefully integrated bird- and bat-boxes, the aim is to increase biodiversity in this central location, while mitigating storm-water runoff and the urban heat island effect.
Demonstrating the variety in its project portfolio, PDP London also won two New London Awards for its Low Line Commons regeneration initiative – a 3.5km green corridor along a Victorian railway viaduct through central London, aiming to increase environmental resilience.
Although British, PDP London’s outlook is international, with studios in London, Madrid and Hong Kong.
International projects currently under construction include The Landmark on Robson, Vancouver – two residential towers atop a threestorey podium, linked by amenity spaces and a landscaped deck. There’s also Daimyo Garden Square in Fukuoka, a 24-storey commercial tower with a retail podium and offices, and the future Ritz-Carlton Hotel with landscaped terraces that open up towards a 3,000sqm public courtyard on the lower levels. Watch this space for more of PDP London’s game-changing creations in 2022.
