Architects of Invention

Garden Hill

Architects of Invention

14. April 2017

PROJECT DETAILS

Status
Concept Proposal

Location
175 High Street Bordesley, Digbeth, Birmingham

Client
PGC Capital (China)

Architect
Architects of Invention

Team
Dominykas Daunys, Carlos Hurtado de Mendoza, Nikoloz Japaridze, Anton Khmelnitskiy, Vano Ksnelashvili, Davit Tsanava

Consultants
Engenuiti (Structure), DSA engineering, HED (Landscape), GAP (Interiors), Alpha Omega, FUTIQUE Developers

Size
38 500 m²

Budget
£70 mil

Stories
25

Structure
Combined CLT & Concrete

Program
40m2 & 60m2 residential units, co-working, co-living communal shared spaces, retail, car park

All images courtesy of Architects of Invention

London-based practice Architects of Invention has submitted a design proposal for 500 residential units in Birmingham’s Digbeth area. The practice was approached by Chinese private equity fund PGC- Capital whose The Jewel Court, 77 one-two bed luxury apartments, is already on site in Birmingham.

The design concept - ‘Garden Hill’ - is inspired by the Hanging Gardens of Babylon: an oasis-like residence for Birmingham’s growing, multicultural population. The two dramatic 25-story staggered towers, hung with gardens at every level, give all occupants and visitors access to private and shared terraces and a spacious rooftop garden. The entire block is made of CLT (Cross Laminated Timber) as an exercise in highly sustainable construction.

The proposal suggests a new model for live/work/play, where the units are small, but there are large shared facilities for communal living and working, including music recording studios and small rental units for startups. The scheme proposes ground floor retail onto High Street Bordesley.

Of the 500 residential units, 60% will be one beds (40-50m²) and 40% two beds (63- 75m²). The brief also specifies parking for 120-200 cars.

The 7500 m2 site is located in Digbeth, ten minutes walking distance from the city center. The renowned Custard Factory scheme sits nearby, home to a number of media companies, artists and small creative enterprises.