Design District, Greenwich - Knight Dragon with HNNA

At the heart of Greenwich Peninsula, the Design District provides a major hub for creative industries around South East London to enrich the current and future communities whilst creating a purpose-built, permanent home with flexible leases to help new businesses thrive. The Design District equips 1800 creatives with much needed specialist workshops, meeting rooms, purpose-designed workspaces, alongside leisure and cultural venues.

Where is the project located?

Peninsula Square, Greenwich, London SE10 0QE

Who is the developer/client of the project?

Knight Dragon Developments Ltd with HNNA

Describe the context of this project, its neighbourhood and people?

The Greenwich Peninsula masterplan is one of the largest regeneration projects in Europe and the 56 ha site is a significant housing opportunity within London, delivering up to 15,000 homes. At the heart sits the Design District providing a major hub for creative industries in the capital but in particular a permanent home for the creative community of South East London.

The Design District is a purpose-built neighbourhood that will exist in perpetuity providing a versatile home to 1800 creatives with specialist workshops, studios and meeting rooms, alongside food, drink, leisure and cultural venues.

Occupying a one hectare plot at the heart of Greenwich Peninsula and comprising 16 free standing buildings designed by eight leading architects and composed around five courtyards. The district is a striking and eclectic addition to the city embodying the architectural diversity, unpredictable geometry and authentic character found in creative neighbourhoods that evolved organically over centuries.

Traditionally artists are used as catalysts within the gentrification process and are priced out once they have succeeded in putting an area on the map. The desire to retain the sense of place being amongst designers and makers gives a community and in turn to give these creatives a permanent sense of locality was a primary goal, ensuring the peninsula’s distinction from other genericized, brand dominated pieces of city. As one of the primary pieces of development the Design District will act as a foundation stone to the development of the Peninsula for those working and living there.

©TaranWilkhu

What makes this place thrive? How does the community come together? What makes this a great place to live, work, play, visit or learn?

The District needed to be inclusive and perform as the heart of the neighbourhood not just geographically but as a destination and gathering space for those coming to and living in North Greenwich. At its core is the focus on enriching both the current and future communities on the Peninsula as well as creating a purpose-built, permanent home for the creative industries in south east London, with flexible leases and purpose-designed workspaces to help new businesses thrive. The District is accessible both from an affordability and transport perspective.

The irrepressible individuality of the architecture, structural and servicing ingenuity from the engineers, the coherence of HNNA’s masterplan and the shared landscape design, mean the Design District has a clear sense of identity, an engagingly organic character, and a dynamic creative energy reflecting that of its tenants. A refreshing counterpoint to the ‘big architecture’ that dominates the City, the tightly clustered low-rise buildings are designed to be human in scale. The architectural variety means that the buildings are their own navigation, creating identifiable characters to be found.

The developer has remained as landlord for the District to ensure its permanence and success. The community within and around the district come together through programming and tools created by the team that operate the District. The buildings and public realm support this through communal facilities such as the screening, lecture and meeting rooms within the Bureau, reprographics in the print shop, the public multi-sports roof terrace and the Design District Canteen.

©DanWeill

How has this place adapted, and how does it continue to adapt, to changing demographics, behaviours, market context, policy, transport habits and the climate crisis? What makes it resilient?

The cost and time were a primary consideration as structures had to be kept low cost in order that tenant rents could be kept affordable - long term. Permanence was also protected by ensuring that the use classes and heights within the District were tied into the planning restrictions within the overall Peninsula masterplan.

The neighbourhood boasts materials ingenuity throughout its structure, cladding and fit-out which is lean, clean and green with low life-cycle costs. The positive and innovatively structured working relationships of the large design team has been crucial in implementing the experimental designs.

The masterplan has resilience to future climate change with a focus on passive design. The <15m floor plates provide excellent levels of daylight, the ability to naturally ventilate and support the local micro-climate. A materials palette wasn’t stipulated allowing architects to create innovative, sustainable, inexpensive, high-performing skins. Paired with lean structural design, these approaches present significant reductions in operational and embodied emissions, whilst maintaining a low construction cost. The majority of the District has achieved an Excellent BREEAM rating due to its focus on passive-led design, and the whole development is served by the Peninsula’s Low Carbon Energy Centre. The permeable car-free development provides safe, tree-lined access via shared outdoor spaces to nearby public transport, with accessible cycle parking for all. Open studios and courtyards engage the public and the rooftop multi-sports court promotes activity amongst the neighbourhood. The District provides long-term economic growth to both the community and the industries involved.

©AlexUpton

Please share any data or evidence about the social, economic and environmental performance of this place? Article references or quotes from supporters or reviews in the media may also be included.

Take up of spaces has been phenomenal given the potentially unforeseen consequences of the global pandemic, but this has been helped by innovative new leasing options such as the “on/off office”. The District’s performance is in many respects best reflected in the voice of its users.

“The space is incredible. When I first saw our building I thought it looked like a cutting mat, so of course it had to be mine. I love that this space is designed with sustainability in mind. The sense of community is really special. I am excited for summer to see it thriving!”

Helen Kirkum, Helen Kirkum studio [Fashion Design]

“I wanted to be part of something big and when I saw the studio I felt something greater — a place that would give me more visibility and opportunities. This is more than just a studio, I see it as a ceramics multi-space. I’m a great believer in collaboration and look forward to working with the Design District’s community. After fifteen years I feel it is time to give back. Things like kilns and diamond polishers aren’t easily accessible, so I want to make these available to everyone.’”

Manos Kalamenios, Made by Manos [Ceramics]

“I want our team to feel inspiration and to be surrounded by other creatives. It is a fantastic location with incredible transport links and facilities. We are excited about our neighbours and being part of this community.”

Abi Hewitt, Love Welcomes [Product Design]