Assael’s co-living design secures approval at Brent Cross Town
The first co-living development has been approved for Brent Cross Town, designed by Assael Architecture and Assael Exteriors on behalf of Halcyon Development Partners and DTZ Investors. The scheme will be operated by DTZ Investors’ co-living brand, Folk.
This marks the fifth collaboration between Halcyon and Assael and forms a key part of Related Argent’s and Barnet Council’s ambitious 180-acre masterplan, one of the largest regenerative schemes in Europe at present.
Tim Chapman-Cavanagh, Director at Assael Architecture, said ‘The development combines our learnings and experience from operational developments, with real-time resident data and feedback. This next co-living building brought forward by Halcyon Development Partners and DTZ Investors under the Folk brand will set a new standard for purpose-built shared living to make a significant contribution to the offering at Brent Cross Town.’’
The 352-room co-living scheme will be the first within the masterplan and will be located just off Merchant Street – the newly envisioned high street within the Brent Cross Town masterplan. Designed to support both community living and personal wellbeing, the development will feature a mix of shared spaces. The ground and lower-ground floors are designed for various types of communal gatherings, staging events and welcoming guests, and are linked by a feature staircase. Elsewhere residents will enjoy a fully equipped gym, a podcast room, and co-working spaces. The upper levels elevate the experience with premium amenities, including a wellness spa connected to a tranquil garden, a sky garden, and a communal kitchen with an outdoor cooking area and lively communal spaces – combining to create a flexible, dynamic living environment for residents.
Sustainability is further woven throughout the design, with a fabric first energy approach, connection to the district heat network, green roofs and accessible terraces enhancing environmental performance and resident wellbeing. Two terraces have been designed to respond to the internal amenities of which they stem. The wellness terrace will include raised planters, soft landscaping, and trees to create pockets of calm and promote biophilic connections. The sky terrace is envisioned as a central social hub, fostering a strong sense of community with areas for performance and gathering.
Architecturally, the development comprises a single building, broken into 3 elements which reflect the internal circulation arrangement and celebrate the repetition of rooms. The façades are unified by high-quality, robust materials and distinctive detailing. A palette of varied brick tones, creates a cohesive yet distinctive identity to its emerging neighbours. Deep brick reveals and refined façade treatments add texture and rhythm, while clearly defining communal spaces through bold expressive chevron windows and playful detailing to mirror the internal uses and typology of the building.
The extensive team included Avison Young Project Management, Circle, DP9 Ltd, Arup, GIA, AKTII, OFR and Ramboll.
Ed Sharland, Director at Assael Architecture, said: “This project is born out of a collaboration with those at the forefront of the co-living movement, building on a successful partnership that has already delivered two best in class co-living buildings and with the added benefit of Related Argent’s experience of delivering regenerated urban centres. We expect this building will raise the bar for co-living even higher.”
Visuals by Assael Visuals and V1