In 2021, extensive public consultation on the Native Land’s proposals for Building 1 within the Bankside Yards masterplan.

Initially we consulted on proposals for amendments to the consented residential scheme for Building 1. Following consultation and as part of our review of the masterplan, we later brought forward proposals for a commercial building.

Our proposals were approved by Southwark Council and we are now delivering the approved plans.

You can find out more about our proposals for Building 1 by clicking through the following pages.

Following consultation in 2021, we committed to the Bankside Yards masterplan being the UK’s first fossil fuel-free major mixed-use development.

Our approach to Building 1 introduces a highly sustainable building, whilst introducing a modern commercial buildings that will complement the mix of uses being delivered for the neighbourhood and across the site.

Office space

We are introducing new high-quality =, sustainable, and future-proofed workspaces, These are intended to complement the wider uses across the masterplan and will help to contribute to the long-term economic success of this part of Southwark. The development will also include affordable workspace to encourage smaller companies and start-ups to this part of Bankside.

We are also introducing extensive facilities for our future tenants arriving at the building. These will be located in the basement and include:

• 276 cycle storage spaces and a maintenance station
• 276 lockers and 9 private showers per sex and changing cubicles
• An accessible toilet and shower
• Drying room

We believe providing these end of trip facilities will encourage future tenants to cycle to work and forms part of our commitment to improving sustainability wherever possible.

We anticipate that the building’s main hours of operation will be within traditional working hours and will have a limited impact on our neighbours.

Ground floor

Our development will introduce a new retail unit on the ground floor of Building 1. Unlike previous proposals, in our approved plans, these will now be on the lower ground floor with only a small area extending into the upper ground floor.

It remains our intention that the retail space complements other uses across the masterplan and will provide a useful amenity for office workers, local residents and those using the Thames Path. Therefore, we will carefully consider any potential operator and the benefit they could bring to the area.

Part of the ground floor will be used as a reception for the office building above, while the other portion of the ground floor and the whole of Level 01 will be Media and Cultural use. This is intended to complement the 5000sqm of cultural space already consented in the masterplan.

We want to create a new distinct identity for Building 1, whilst continuing to reference the other buildings in the masterplan. Therefore, we will be introducing a façade that is predominately made from a blue glazed terracotta material.

The central section of the southern elevation, which will include a green wall, will be made from a green glazed terracotta material to reference the greening and improve the outlook from Building 2.

The approved plans include an increased amount of glazing to the North to maximise the amount of light entering the office space, helping to improve the well-being of future tenants. The lower ground, upper ground and first floors will form a recessed glazed plinth and will help to encourage people into the building. This will include generous cutbacks to southwest and southeast to maximise the amount of public realm.

The southern façade is mostly solid to minimise solar gains from the south and protect the rest of the building. This also reduces any overlooking to Building 2.

Sustainability was at the core of the design process, from carbon efficiency of the superstructure to the overarching design principles and choice of materials. The glazed terracotta has several features that will improve the building’s sustainability credentials, including:

Massing

Since the previous scheme was consented, Southwark Council declared a climate emergency and we incorporated a range of important features to ensure Building 1 reflects the need for sustainable development.

This will be achieved by:

These steps taken to improve the sustainability of Building 1 form part of our commitment to make Bankside Yards the UK’s first major mixed-use development that is fossil fuel free.

We were keen to improve the public realm around Building 1 given the site’s prominent location adjacent to the Thames. Therefore, we are introducing a number of new spaces that will help encourage people to dwell and spend time.

Thames Path

Our approved plans included widening the Thames Path outside Building 1 to 10.5m, helping improve the flow of pedestrians using this route. As part of this approach, we proposed a continuation of the Yorkstone paving under Blackfriars Bridge.

Riverside Terrace

To the west of the building, we are introducing new, pre-cast concrete bleachers, creating a space for people to sit and gather. The space can be used for performances and events to help further activate the site.

The seating area will include planters to help increase the amount of greening and encourage people to use the space.

Rennie Gardens

We are introducing Rennie Gardens to the west of Building 1. This will facilitate new planting and retain three mature London Plane trees, acting as pocket garden between the site and Blackfriars Road.

The stairway to the east of the terraces will also be increased to a width of 5m as the current stairs are too narrow and disrupt the flow of pedestrians around the building.

The space will include seating to encourage local residents, visitors, and workers to dwell and spend time. Similarly, the Gardens will deliver 4 short stay bike spaces and two Sheffield stands to further encourage sustainable travel to and from the building and wider masterplan.

Eastern Lane

We are introducing a new publicly accessible route from the Thames Path through to the Railway Arches by shifting the building away from the railway line. We hope that this will help to ease congestion on the Thames Path and act as a new entrance to the masterplan.

The new route will also include 34 short stay bike space to complement the spaces included within the building itself and those in the new Rennie Gardens.

Rennie Steps

Finally, we will be introducing new publicly accessible stairs to connect Blackfriars Road to the Tate. These will be circa.5.9m wide and will include an integrated bike ramp as well as a cycle and pedestrian lift.

This will also include additional greening to provide a planted frontage to Building 2.

Roof Terrace

Access to private outdoor amenity space is increasingly in demand from future office occupiers, particularly in light of the Covid-19 pandemic, and this is something we are keen to ensure our future tenants have access to.

Therefore, we are introducing a terrace on the roof to act as a breakout space for future office tenants. The terrace will be extensively greened to improve biodiversity and the outlook from neighbouring properties.

We are keen to ensure the introduction of the terraces will not impact upon our neighbour and will be subject to a management plan that will include limits on the hours of operation.

We are keen to maximise the amount of greening associated with the proposals to help improve air-quality and biodiversity in this part of Southwark.

We are therefore introducing extensive greening on the ground floor in the public realm surrounding the building and on the proposed roof terrace.

As part of this approach, we will also be introducing a green wall on the southern façade to help improve biodiversity and provide a visual extension of the greening within the public realm and the proposed Rennie Gardens. We also believe this will help to improve the outlook from the neighbouring Building 2.

The green wall will be automatically watered and will be maintained from the building management unit within the building itself. We are also committed to the ongoing management of the wall to ensure it is a long-term positive addition to the area.

Thank you for taking the time to visit our virtual exhibition for Bankside Yards Building 1.

Consultation has now closed and Southwark Council has approved these plans.

If you have any questions or would like to speak to a member of the team directly, please get in touch via BanksideYards@kandaconsulting.co.uk or call 0203 900 3676.