Rodney Street

Hamiltons was commissioned to undertake a small mixed use development on a corner site in the London Borough of Islington by Kings Cross regeneration area. The planning requirements requested a ‘jewel box’ of a building, reflecting the importance of the location.

Hamiltons’ proposal incorporated the same number of flats, both private and affordable as previous applications by other architects, but with a greater net floor area on one less floor.

The building is a simple, profiled copper box held by an engineering brick plinth. Windows are detailed flush with the outside skin and cantilevered frameless glass boxes projecting over the street. Proportion and geometry was the fundamental driver for the final form of the mass and all openings.

The proposals included façade insulation and shading systems preventing the need for air conditioning, insulation and cladding made from recycled materials and an integrated ventilation system to reduce energy requirements.