Savoy Circus Shortlisted for Housing Project of the Year

Savoy Circus has been successfully shortlisted for Housing Project of the Year.

HTA has worked with Tide Construction to deliver 306 student units using Vision Modular Systems’ innovative volumetric construction methodology.

The student accommodation operated by Chapter, Greystar’s student accommodation brand, stands at 7-storeys, offering studio apartments complete with communal spaces including a café, student lounge, arcade and gym.

A concept of memory and nostalgia played an important role in the design development. Not only does the design knit sympathetically into the Old Oak and Wormholt conservation context but it provides local residents with the opportunity to remember the previous building on the site.

 Our design restores street frontage to Westway and Old Oak Road and, importantly, restores legibility to Savoy Circus whilst taking inspiration from the Cinema which previously occupied the site. The taller element marks Savoy Circus from further afield including the pedestrian approach from Old Oak Common Lane and vehicular approach from East and West. To the western end the corner building that fronts the circus wraps around to the West Way frontage.

The articulation of the windows, piers, and brick infill is matched to the rest of the tower and is symmetrical about its centre. The composition of the typical street elevation consists of brick pillars, setback infill brickwork with reconstituted stone framing the windows.

Materials have been explored in detail with a particular emphasis placed on characterful and distinctive finishes found in the adjacent Conservation Area. The overall composition balances horizontal and vertical layers, weaving reconstituted elements through the facade to articulate its hierarchy. Green glazed bricks are used on the tower to emphasise detail along with an aluminium SAVOY sign to reflect the heritage of the site.