Come on in: the gasholder triplets' marketing suite completes in Kings Cross
The residential scheme housed inside the trio of old gasholders in London's Kings Cross is no doubt one of the area's most striking new developments; not least because it is one that, due to its historical aspect, has an especially strong connection to its ever-evolving locale.
The Grade II listed Victorian gasholders – A.K.A the 'triplets' – were in use until the late 20th century, when they were decommissioned and left unused; that is, until Argent, the developers behind the Kings Cross site, came calling.
Now, the cast iron historical parts have been sensitively refurbished by specialists Shepley Engineers in North Yorkshire and a residential development has been masterfully fitted inside their footprint by architects Wilkinson Eyre. The project is currently in construction and on schedule for a 2017 completion.
London architect Jonathan Tuckey won the commission to work on the scheme's interiors, which are now unveiled in a specially built marketing suite pavilion on the canal, a stone's throw from the gasholders' site. Tuckey is known for his sophisticated, thoughtful work that often interacts delicately with historical sites; a perfect fit, bridging the project's heritage with modern design.
The complex includes 145 apartments spread across the three interconnected structures, ranging from studios to duplex penthouses. The interiors needed to respond to a 'luxurious industrial' aesthetic, explains Tuckey, who references work such as the Hydro-electric Power station at Yoloten, Turkmenistan (1911) and Carlo Mollino's Teatro Regio di Torino as sources of inspiration.
'The fusion of Victorian iron frames and a new layer of high-tech modernism was the starting point for a very distinct dynamic in the ways in which the internal spaces are resolved,' he adds. 'The Gasholders London carry an aesthetic of handmade craft and luxury, through the architecture and interior elements including parquet timber and marble set into seamless poured polished resin. We have made a virtue of the curvature of the building, bringing this gentle shape into the layout of the apartments.'
Treated and darkened oak, cast concrete, poured resin floors, brass and steel are some of the main materials used. The wedge-shaped floorplans' intricacy draws on the aesthetic of watch mechanisms, says the architect. This is matched by lots of bespoke detailing and heaps of cleverly hidden storage across all units.
The design's unusual shape meant that most apartments feature slightly different internal configurations and needed to be approached separately. 'I guess [Argent] wanted me to uncover the potential in it,' says Tuckey of his role on the project. 'This has allowed us to explore some great solutions.' No mean feat, also considering that a scheme of this scale is a first for this London firm.
A 'soft' sales launch is currently underway via the project's online registration system, while the marketing suite will be open to all next month.
INFORMATION
For more information on Jonathan Tuckey visit the website
Wallpaper* Newsletter
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox
Ellie Stathaki is the Architecture & Environment Director at Wallpaper*. She trained as an architect at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in Greece and studied architectural history at the Bartlett in London. Now an established journalist, she has been a member of the Wallpaper* team since 2006, visiting buildings across the globe and interviewing leading architects such as Tadao Ando and Rem Koolhaas. Ellie has also taken part in judging panels, moderated events, curated shows and contributed in books, such as The Contemporary House (Thames & Hudson, 2018), Glenn Sestig Architecture Diary (2020) and House London (2022).
-
‘Bio-spaces’ exhibition at Roca London Gallery celebrates biophilic design
‘Bio-Spaces: regenerative, resilient futures’ opens at the Roca London Gallery as ‘a call to action to stop designing nature out’
By Clare Dowdy Published
-
Les Lalanne’s surreal world takes over Venice
‘Planète Lalanne’, presented by Ben Brown Fine Arts, takes over Palazzo Rota Ivancich, with a cast of blue hippos, woolly sheep and giant grasshoppers
By Hannah Silver Published
-
At home with Barnaba Fornasetti
Barnaba Fornasetti invites us into Casa Fornasetti, a private residence and creative hub, as he carries on its founder’s perpetual exploration of creativity and design
By Maria Cristina Didero Published
-
‘Bio-spaces’ exhibition at Roca London Gallery celebrates biophilic design
‘Bio-Spaces: regenerative, resilient futures’ opens at the Roca London Gallery as ‘a call to action to stop designing nature out’
By Clare Dowdy Published
-
Don’t Move, Improve 2024: London’s bold, bright and boutique home renovations
Don’t Move, Improve 2024 reveals its shortlist, with 16 home designs competing for the top spot, to be announced in May
By Ellie Stathaki Published
-
Timber-framed Wimbledon house is a minimalist, low-energy affair
A new timber-framed Wimbledon house is designed to blend into its traditional surroundings with a neat brick façade, careful massing and pared back interiors
By Jonathan Bell Published
-
London Science Museum’s Energy Revolution gallery champions sustainable exhibition design
The Energy Revolution gallery opens at London’s Science Museum, exploring decarbonisation through sustainable exhibition design by Unknown Works
By Ellie Stathaki Published
-
This South Downs house stands as a testament to the value of quiet refinement
At one with the landscape, a South Downs house uses elements of quintessential country villas and midcentury gems with modern technologies
By Jonathan Bell Published
-
Ash Tree House offers a contextual approach to a north London site
Ash Tree House by Edgley Design is a modern family home in a north London conservation area's backyard site
By Ellie Stathaki Published
-
In memoriam: John Miller (1930-2024)
We remember John Miller, an accomplished British architect and educator who advocated a quiet but rigorous modernism
By Jonathan Bell Published
-
River Wing at Clare College responds to its historic Cambridge heritage
University of Cambridge opens its new River Wing on Clare College Old Court, uniting modern technology with historic design
By Clare Dowdy Published