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A new look for King's Cross: a residential building in the heart of London from Allies and Morrison

30 of January '25
Technical data
NAME: CAPELLA BUILDING
function: RESIDENTIAL
location:

LONDON, United Kingdom

studio: Allies and Morrison
client: ARGENT
construction, civil engineering: RAMBOLL
installations, sustainability: HOARE LEA
facades: FMDC
landscape: TODD LONGSTAFF-GOWAN
waste and transport:
ARUP
public space-infrastructure: STANTEC
public space - landscape: TOWNSHEND LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS
public space - lighting: SPEIRS & MAJOR

calendar:

  • construction

area:

  • usable

  • 20 000 m²

"Capella" residential building,
design: Allies and Morrison

[Material prepared on the basis of the studio's author's description]

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.

Budynek mieszkalny „Capella” w Londynie - wszystkie wieże łączy zastosowanie trzech podstawowych materiałów: cegły, betonu o falistej fakturze oraz zielonych metalowych detali

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.

Budynek mieszkalny „Capella” w Londynie - plan parteru

"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.

Budynek mieszkalny „Capella” w Londynie - detal elewacji

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.

Budynek mieszkalny „Capella” w Londynie - widok z Ogrodów Jellicoe

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.

Budynek mieszkalny „Capella” w Londynie

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.

Budynek mieszkalny „Capella” w Londynie - widok wnętrza parteru

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.

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