Our driving aim for The Madison, located on the Isle of Dogs, is to provide incoming and existing residents better access to open space in this rapidly developing part of London.
Our design is inspired by the fluidity of the surrounding docklands. The 53 storeys of elegant residential accommodation are animated by a fin-clad facade that creates a moiré rippling effect, and anchored with an angled peak and slender silhouette.
A dramatic cut through the building creates an amenities floor as well as a contextual divide. The taller upper section references the towers of neighbouring Canary Wharf; the lower section, the low-rise docklands. By making the tower as slender as possible, we were able to give 70% of the site back to the public, filling it with large gardens and a children’s play area.
So this site won’t just be a home for hundreds of Londoners; it will be a space for everyone. And it will dramatically improve access to the waterside and Canary Wharf beyond.
This slender and elegant tower will be a striking addition to the skyline in this fast-growing part of London, while at ground level, the design enables us to generate much-needed public space.
In its planning committee report, Tower Hamlets described the scheme as “an elegant tower which makes a positive contribution to the skyline.”
