Transforming Brentford's skyline
In partnership with L&Q, we're transforming Brentford's skyline with Kew Bridge Rise, a development bringing 441 new homes to West London. This mixed-use project offers a variety of housing options, including 50% private market sale and 50% shared ownership and affordable rent homes, catering to diverse needs. Five buildings, reaching up to 18 storeys, will provide stunning city views alongside dedicated commercial space and new public realm.
Building a Thriving Community
Through a comprehensive community engagement strategy, with the support of Commonplace, Hawkins Brown Architects, and the landscape architect HTA Design, we've created a high-quality, fully accessible and well-connected public realm. Lush green infrastructure for wildlife and improved wellbeing for residents and visitors takes centre stage.
Active frontages, achieved through the careful location of a nursery, residents' gymnasium, commercial space, and play areas, will stimulate community cohesion. This integrated set of placemaking and placekeeping themes aims to bring vitality to the evolving Brentford regeneration area and positively responds to the London Borough of Hounslow's 'Future Borough Strategy' and vision.
Homes for All
Homes are enhanced through a range of residents' amenities, including podium gardens and terraces, workspace, lounge, and gym. Proximity to public transport hubs (a PTAL* rating of 4), significant cycle parking, and EV charging points form the development’s sustainable travel options.
*PTALS are a detailed and accurate measure of the accessibility of a point to the public transport network, taking into account walk access time and service availability. The method is essentially a way of measuring the density of the public transport network at any location within Greater London. Each area is graded between 0 and 6b, where a score of 0 is very poor access to public transport, and 6b is excellent access to public transport.
Social Impact
The very nature of development means we are positively changing people's lives through the project. We are supporting 22 job starts for Hounslow residents and 12 jobs for under-represented groups. Additionally, a bespoke initiative, in partnership with Women into Construction, helps mothers return to work.
This social impact commitment extends to 200 volunteer days to support local initiatives. Furthermore, 60 hours of Careers Information and Guidance will be provided for under-24-year-olds who are unemployed or at risk of becoming not in education, employment, or training (NEET). We have commenced a programme of bi-annual career talks in local schools and we are committed to a 20% minimum local spend through "meet the buyer" events and supply chain masterclasses to improve business resilience in the local area.
Sustainable Design
The original energy strategy was based on a gas-fired communal combined heat and power system to achieve a 35% improvement on Approved Document Part L 2013. With the residual regulated carbon dioxide emissions offset (to 100% zero carbon) through an s106 contribution. However, to improve the whole-life carbon of the project, it was agreed to pivot to using energy-efficient air source heat pumps with electric boiler back-ups and 169 square metres of roof-mounted PV panels. These post-planning improvements have resulted in a significant 59% reduction in predicted carbon emissions. All non-residential space has been designed and is being delivered to achieve a BREEAM* Excellent rating.
Modern Methods of Construction (MMC)
Customer-focused, optimised floorplates and characterful facades, utilising high-quality materials, support our approach to Design for Manufacture (DfMA). We have heavily invested in MMC from our Fusion factory, and will install off-site manufactured panelised walling systems, bathroom pods, and utility cupboard pods. This approach aims to reduce health and safety risks, improve product quality and reduce wastage, while ensuring fewer local lorry movements to and from the site, accordingly reducing the impact on air quality and creating safer streets.
A Vision Taking Shape
Hounslow Council Leader Shantanu Rajawat commented: "Kew Bridge Rise forms a major part of our regeneration strategy for this area, revitalising a previously brownfield site to deliver vital new homes, improve the existing infrastructure, and provide new amenities for the local community. It is exciting to see the rapid progress that Hill and L&Q are already making on site, alongside the training and employment benefits the project offers to local people."
Project Timeline:
Project start: August 2022
Estimated completion: October 2026
Topping out ceremony: September 2023
