Aylesbury Square

Plot 18 is a pivotal project within the Aylesbury Estate regeneration and sets a benchmark for the design quality and ambition of the wider masterplan. Designed by HTA Design  in collaboration with Morris + Company, the scheme delivers 122 new homes alongside a range of integrated civic, community, and commercial uses, all situated around a new public square.

Two distinct buildings frame Aylesbury Square and are arranged to define movement through the site while establishing a strong sense of enclosure around this new civic space. The massing strategy responds directly to its surroundings: the taller, 15-storey block on Thurlow Street creates a visible marker from the wider area, while the buildings step down in height towards the adjacent conservation zone. This careful modulation ensures the development sits comfortably within its urban context while maintaining a confident and recognisable presence.

Each block has a distinct architectural identity, enhancing legibility and aiding wayfinding. The buildings are configured to accommodate a rich mix of uses: ground floor frontages host a medical centre, the Una Marson Library, early years facility, café and commercial space, while the upper levels provide homes of varying sizes and tenures. This integration of functions supports a multi-layered civic environment, enabling a broad mix of users to access shared facilities in a single, well-connected setting.

The Una Marson Library occupies 780m² at ground floor level and plays a central role in the civic offer of the development. Internally, the library is organised to support a wide range of user needs, including a children’s story library that encourages early reading and play, a quiet study zone, a shared media library and flexible reading spaces. Window desks overlook the public square, providing users with natural light and views onto the landscape. A designated display area offers space for local exhibitions and celebrations of local culture.

The library is co-located with a new community facility that includes a multi-purpose space for nursery and group activity, small offices, bookable rooms, shared kitchen, buggy storage, and accessible circulation. Wayfinding and signage throughout are designed to support intuitive navigation while reflecting the building’s material palette and architectural detailing.

Above the civic functions, Plot 18 delivers 122 homes, including one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments. The scheme offers a 50/50 split between private sale and affordable tenures (shared ownership and target rent). Among these are 23 homes designed specifically for residents over the age of 55. These feature dual-aspect layouts, open-plan living areas, and full-width balconies overlooking the square—responding to accessibility needs while providing generous, adaptable space.

The architectural strategy integrates closely with the landscape design. Entrances, sightlines and building edges have been designed to support clear public routes, strengthen the spatial definition of the square, and maintain legibility throughout the site. The two blocks frame a network of new pedestrian streets that improve permeability and connect the development into the surrounding neighbourhood.

Plot 18 delivers a new civic space for Walworth through an integrated landscape design that connects homes, services and public life. It forms one of the first completed phases of the Aylesbury regeneration and sets a clear standard for how landscape can support inclusive, mixed-use neighbourhoods.

HTA’s landscape team designed the new Aylesbury Square to bring together a medical centre, library, nursery, café, and over 120 new homes across two buildings. The square supports both programmed and informal use, with generous public realm, clearly defined routes, and active ground floor frontages. Each function contributes to a shared civic environment where different groups can spend time, meet others, or pass through comfortably.

The landscape strategy responds to the scale and grain of its surroundings, stepping down from taller blocks on Thurlow Street to the neighbouring conservation area. These changes in scale are reflected in planting, surfaces, and spatial organisation, helping to define edges while maintaining openness and visibility throughout the site.

New pedestrian routes run through and around the square, improving permeability and reinforcing connections with the wider Aylesbury masterplan and the Walworth area. Landscape is used not only to structure these movements but to create moments to pause, orientate, or gather.

Consultation played a central role in shaping the landscape. Residents, future occupants, and local organisations contributed ideas at every stage. Older people’s groups, for example, influenced the position of seating and shade, while families helped shape access to the nursery and library. This input led to several design features: glazed ground floor reading spaces with views over the square, a display area for local exhibitions, and public realm edges that encourage informal activity.

Although not heavily planted, the scheme reflects HTA’s approach to landscape as a social and ecological asset. Material choices are robust and legible, and surfaces are designed for long-term use and easy maintenance. Across the site, the landscape defines how buildings are approached and understood, supporting both civic functions and domestic routines.

Community engagement played a defining role in the design of Plot 18. From the outset, the project team worked with residents, local organisations and future occupants to ensure the scheme reflects the needs and aspirations of those it serves.

A series of public exhibitions were held at each stage of the design process, offering accessible opportunities for feedback. Residents could add comments directly to display boards, giving immediate input into design decisions. These exhibitions were supported by stakeholder workshops, where smaller groups met with the client and design team for presentations, roundtable discussions and Q&A sessions.

This collaborative process had direct impact on the outcome. The over-55s stakeholder group influenced the design of specialist homes, resulting in dual-aspect, open-plan layouts with full-width balconies overlooking the square. This ensured the homes offered daylight, generous space, and direct views of civic life. Families contributed to the design of the Una Marson Library, calling for quiet study areas for older children without internet access at home, as well as reading areas for older residents to meet daily. Their input led to features such as window desks overlooking the square and a display area for local exhibitions and cultural history.

The project team also worked closely with Creation Trust, a local charity dedicated to ensuring Aylesbury Estate residents benefit from regeneration. This ongoing partnership helped secure wider community support and strengthened confidence in the delivery of Plot 18.