Page 23 - Sphere No.5 (Feb 2002)

Lord Foster’s involvement, and that of his business partner
Ken Shuttleworth, is an obvious attraction, and not without
reason. Everything was designed by their practice, including
the landscaping, street furniture and lighting, right down to
ergonomic door handles in each apartment.
“For what is essentially a residential project, there is a lot
that excites us,” says Andy Bow, a director at Foster and
Partners.The building’s curves, for example, are the product of
new computer-assisted design technologies.
Foster and Partners are internationally known for innova-
tive architecture that creates calm, light and airy interiors.The
glass façades at Albion Riverside will cause its appearance to
inflect according to prevailing light and changing viewpoints.
Apartments will open out to views of the river beneath,
where some moorings are available.
The residential entrance, with a private drop-off point, will
lead via a grand staircase to the glazed “cloister” on the first
floor, which will run virtually the entire
length of the building, providing uninter-
rupted views over the landscaped garden
and the river beyond. Direct access will
also be available by lift from the
underground car park.
Not only does it look good, but
Foster’s vision also provides functionality
and flexibility to suit the practical details
of modern-day living. Apartment front
doors, for instance, will be wider than
average for the delivery of furniture,
while many of the flats will have sliding
partitions to allow spaces to be opened
up or divided for different uses.
Buyers are also amazed at just how
“intelligent” their new homes will be.
Besides fast ISDN telephone and Internet connections, the
flats are pre-wired for smart technology, enabling main
services to be controlled remotely via the Internet or by
mobile phone.
“Residents will be able to call home to run their bath, close
the curtains and turn on the oven, or have their doorbell
linked to their mobile so they can speak to visitors even when
they are not at home,” Ho muses.
Although winter 2003 (the completion date) is some dis-
tance off, by January 2002 more than 110 units had already
been reserved, with buyers putting down a non-refundable
£2,500 on units under £1m and £5,000 for those over this
figure. Due to the strong demand, including from“a few sports
and music celebrities,” Albion Riverside is not officially being
marketed elsewhere.
“Some customers have reserved more than one apartment
with the intention of combining the space,” Ho reveals.
There is no doubt that the lucky few who secure units
will enjoy lavish comfort combined with outstanding
views in what is rapidly becoming a much-sought-after area of
the city.
But that does not mean HWP’s work is all done. Albion
Riverside is a mixed-use development, and tenants for 100,000-
sq.-ft. of commercial space beneath the main residential block
have yet to be selected. “Destinations” such as a high-class
restaurant, cafés, shops, a leisure centre and office space are
favoured. These will all add to the vibrancy of the open-to-all
public space by the river.This space, according to Bow,“will be
one of the few places in London where you can sit and watch
the sunset over the Thames away from the traffic.”
And finally, after all the hurdles, the local authority plan-
ners are also happy. “They want us to do more,” says Ho,
“and if another piece of land becomes available here, perhaps
we can.”