News

Portobello Square Wins Prestigious Housing Design Award

Portobello Square, the first phase of the regeneration of the Wornington Green Estate in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea was awarded a prestigious Housing Design Award last night. Designed by PRP Architects, for owners Kensington Housing Trust (part of the Catalyst Housing Group), the scheme will make a significant contribution to the rich architectural history of the area and reinstate the historic link between Portobello Road and Ladbroke Grove, with the new London square forming a focal point for this new urban quarter.

Portobello Square offers an exemplar model for large scale urban regeneration adjoining a conservation area. The affordable housing element is seamlessly integrated with the private housing to create a mixed tenure development. Phase 0ne of Portobello Square comprises 324 homes, of which 141 will be for private sale. The new homes include apartments, town houses and mews houses. Judges particularly praised the high quality of detailing and materials which have been applied throughout, which capture the quality and vibrancy of the local vernacular.

Julia Moulder, Group Development Director for Catalyst Housing Group comments: “The final design solution is the culmination of years of investment by the Catalyst team, the Local Authority, residents and the local community working together with PRP, and itis fantastic that the detailed design of Portobello Square has been recognised with a Housing Design Award. We placed great emphasis on design quality and ensuring the scale and appearance of the scheme relates to the adjacent historic conservation area. I’d like to thank all those who worked tirelessly on the project.” PRP’s Design Director, Jeff Brooks adds: “PRP was seeking to re-establish the historic Victorian street grain of North Kensington, to re-stitch the new streets back into the existing local fabric and make reference to the adjoining Oxford Gardens conservation area. A local palette of materials has been used and a ‘crafted’ approach taken to the proportions and detail of the street facades. Portobello Square is a modern interpretation of the rich Victorian context in which it sits.”