16 November 2023

Balfron Tower Wins At The New London Awards (NLA)

This week, Balfron Tower won the Retrofit category at the New London Awards, thanks to the entry submitted by Studio Egret West.

The New London Awards, organised by NLA and supported by the Mayor of London, celebrates projects of varying scales across London. Shortlisted projects for the awards are expected to demonstrate a sustainable, well-designed and considered approach.

The Retrofit category celebrates what can be achieved when old buildings are adapted and repurposed to demonstrate sustainability, efficiency, and viability across any sector, where efficient use is made of embodied energy and the existing fabric, restoring historic buildings and giving them a new lease of life.

Balfron Tower consists of 146 apartments in three design styles, designed by Studio Egret West and Ab Rogers Design, with six ‘Heritage’ apartments carefully retained in the original style - preserving the layouts drawn up by Erno Goldfinger, the original and renowned Architect. In line with Goldfinger’s vision of ‘community within buildings,’ the original service areas have been developed into communal spaces that include a cinema room, library, communal dining room, gym, yoga room, music room, a workshop/co-working space and table tennis room.

The Retrofit win noted the ‘conservation informed’ approach taken, respecting the Brutalist architecture, whilst providing a second life for the tower, making it relevant to today’s society.

It was also recognised that the revitalisation of Balfron Tower and the landscape around the site has not only contributed to the wider appreciation of the innovative architecture, preserving it for generations to come, but has also helped to transform and improve the Brownfield Estate community as a whole.

A fantastic result for the team and our partners Poplar HARCA!

 

 

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