What to do with post-industrial landscapes?
In terms of history and industrial heritage, the UK is one of the richest places in the world. There are plenty of great pieces of our past to explore. Sadly, there are also a fair few post-industrial landscapes that can be a blight to the areas. But, could they have a bright future? As a top architect in London, we want to have a closer look here.
History
Most people know that Great Britain was the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution. It all began here in the 18th century, before spreading to Europe, America, and other parts of the world. We became a global leader in manufacturing, particularly products like steel and chemicals at the time.
However, today we're a services economy rather than an industrial powerhouse. It leaves us with countless post-industrial landscapes. This can include massive plots like former docks, factories, and manufacturing facilities. Luckily, there are different things we can do to give them a new lease of life. Let's have a look at four options so you can see what can become of them.
Transformation into cultural assets
Many locations have significant remnants of former industries. However, the right projects can transform them into cultural assets. As a top architect in London, we love seeing this happen in different parts of the city, including along the iconic riverside. In some cases you can even leave the industrial elements in a visible state of controlled decay, celebrating their history and the passage of time. They can sit perfectly alongside newer elements.
Remediation
One of the trickiest things with post-industrial landscapes is the former operations can leave behind scars like contaminated soil and damaged habitats. Luckily, in most cases remediation is possible. Even the worst damage can typically be undone with enough time and care. For example, you can do rewilding and create wetlands. Recovery is possible for soil, waterways, plants, and wildlife.
Adaptive reuse
An important thing to keep in mind is many industrial sites were built to be durable and last a long time. As a result, there can be plenty of opportunities for adapting them and new uses. Just look at the work at Battersea Power Station for a wonderful example of how this can work. A great design can take obsolete industrial properties and turn them into new homes, commercial spaces, and more.
We're proud to be a top architect in London. Our creativity means we can explore adaptive reuse for various situations, including using existing foundations, frameworks, and more. We can reinterpret them to suit current needs while also saving evidence of the heritage and history.
Cultural programming
A sad thing about many post-industrial landscapes is how quiet they become. At one time they were an essential part of daily life, bringing people together to work and interact. When they are gone, it can leave a huge void in the area.
Developing the sites should bring people back together, supporting the community. The focus here should be on cultural programming, including creating spaces for various needs, including events, markets, and more. Even more important, give people a sense of ownership and celebrate the heritage and meaning of the sites.
Talk to a creative architect in London
At one time London was an industrial hotspot. It was the most significant centre for manufacturing in Great Britain, with a diverse selection of businesses in numerous industries. As a result, almost every part of the city has signs of the industrial heritage.
The great thing about London today though is most of the post-industrial landscapes have been redeveloped to create new housing, amenities, and more. The few remaining ones, including the Royal Docks, are earmarked for redevelopment. The projects are a sign that there can be bright futures for the sites, including designs that preserve important elements of the past.
So, if you want to work with an architect in London on any kind of project, including creating a home in a formerly industrial area, speak to us. We can plan any part of a project, such as remediating the land and preserving anything you want to keep.