"Capella" residential building,
design: Allies and Morrison
The "Capella" residential building, designed by the architectural firm Allies and Morrison, is the culmination of a 20-year process of transformation of the King's Cross neighborhood in central London. It is one of the last projects completed in this part of the city. The development offers apartments as well as retail and service spaces on the first floor, creating a new quality of life adjacent to an urban park in one of the capital's most developing neighborhoods.
The "Capella" residential building in London - all towers are united by the use of three basic materials: brick, corrugated concrete and green metal details
© Allies and Morrison
diverse form and materials
in a modern residential complex
The L-shaped building consists of seven towers, each with an individual form, varying in height and width. The two tallest towers (the third and sixth) are fourteen stories high, while the others are twelve stories each. Despite their varying geometries, all towers are united by the use of three basic materials: brick, corrugated concrete and green metal details. The building offers a wide range of apartments, including studios, four-bedroom units, duplexes and apartments spread over two levels.
"Capella" residential building in London - first floor plan
© Allies and Morrison
sustainable design:
how façade details respond to apartment layout
The longest wall of the building was positioned towards the east, facing the park. The composition of all the facades, characterized by vertical and horizontal balance, is expressed through the slats that run the full height of the building, and the white balcony railings. The arrangement of the balconies has been adapted to the layout of the apartments. Deeper, L-shaped balconies have been located for apartments one and a half stories high.
The "Capella" residential building in London - facade detail
photo by Billy Bolton © Allies and Morrison
balance between contemporary
and spatial context
Although the neighboring buildings differ in style and materials, they form a cohesive whole. The eastern façade of the building was designed with the context of Lewis Cubitt park in mind - the cream-colored brick, white balconies and light greenish textured concrete panels allude to the light color scheme of the Luma building on the opposite side of the park, while contrasting with the prevailing darker tones all around.
The "Capella" residential building in London - view from Jellicoe Gardens
photo by Billy Bolton © Allies and Morrison
apartments with access to common spaces
and roof garden
The interior design of the building has been developed to provide seamless, convenient access to each apartment, starting with the entrance and spacious lobby. The layout of the apartments is functional and clear, maximizing views of the nearby park and the city. The building's interiors include elevators and staircases from two halls, and the apartments feature open layouts, allowing easy access to spacious corridors that are, where possible, lit with natural light.
The "Capella" residential building in London - interior design by Johnson Naylor
photo by Billy Bolton © Allies and Morrison
There are 33 different types of apartments in the building, which lead to balconies or terraces, often with dimensions exceeding minimum requirements. Johnson Naylor studio is responsible for the space design and interior design of the apartments and common areas on the first floor. All apartments have access to a shared roof garden, which covers an area of 260 square meters.
Residential building "Capella" in London - interior view of the first floor
photo by Billy Bolton © Allies and Morrison
The building harmoniously combines a functional spatial layout with aesthetically pleasing elevations that not only respond to the needs of users, but also fit into the context of the surroundings. The balanced composition of form and function makes the building's architecture an integral part of the landscape, while ensuring the comfort and efficiency of the space. The facades, designed with attention to detail, use materials that combine a modern appearance with high durability.
Elaborated: Anastazja Dżupina
Illustrations provided courtesy of Allies and Morrison studio.