Brent

Pitman Tozer Architects have recently partnered with us to host a free-to-attend event – the Future Development Plans in Brent Event. The event will delve into the regeneration and development ambitions of the region, which Pitman Tozer Architects will play a key role in, and ahead of the event we’ve been speaking to Director Luke Tozer…

Q. Could you explain a little bit about Pitman Tozer Architects design philosophy?

Our philosophy is to work collaboratively to treat land and energy as precious resources through intelligent design.  Our approach is to efficiently unlock hitherto neglected land and bring it into active, sustainable use, whether it’s a single home or a large masterplan.

Q. You are working on over 1,000 new homes across the Capital, what some of the most exciting developments?

Plaistow Hub for Populo living in Newham has recently started on site.  It is 182 homes, 2 new public spaces, 2 cafes, a gym, supermarket and a community library, in a cluster around Plaistow underground station.  It provides income back to Newham council to subsidise Affordable Housing.

We are also on site with a mixed use 24 storey tower in Croydon, working with Henry Construction and soon to start on site with an affordable scheme for Guinness at Bromley by Bow within a 900 home masterplan. 

We are also working in Barking and Dagenham on the next phase of the regeneration of the Gascoigne East estate to provide the first zero Carbon in use homes for Be First, with Willmott Dixon and we are working for Southwark on the regeneration of the Lindley Estate.

Q. How can housing lead area regeneration?

London has a rich history of regeneration and growth and housing is at the heart of that.  While housing might be seen as the background architecture of any city, it is housing that defines the character of the city and makes the place.  From Georgian and Victorian terraces to mansion blocks and clusters of taller buildings and density around transport nodes, it is, as we have found out in the pandemic, where people live that are the places that are most resilient both economically and socially.

Q. How can architecture and design help to improve well-being in communities?

Good design can help to improve and repair the city and improve people’s lives.  That’s what we’re trying to do.  Good homes, with good space, good quality of light and air that are a delight to live in and to walk past. While that won’t solve all community issues by any means, it is a pretty good place to start.

Q. What can intelligently designing buildings do to resolve the challenges faced by climate change?

Carefully designing buildings to treat land and energy as precious resources is the only sustainable approach.  Through intelligent design we are able to make the best use of building resources with the least energy and impact and to leave the built environment in a better, lower energy and sustainable place for future generations.

Q. What is Pitman Tozer most excited to share at the upcoming Brent Future Development plans event?

We are excited to share the four wonderful speakers views on the shaping of Brent’s growth and how it can respond to the multiple challenges of climate change, community cohesion and viability. Speakers include Brent Council, Quintain, Network Homes and HUB.

The event is free to attend and you can register here: https://www.built-environment-networking.com/event/future-development-plans-brent/