Around the world the growth of urban areas is continuing at a rapid rate. More and more people want to live in cities where they can be close to jobs and amenities. However, it can be very difficult to provide a sufficient housing supply. Lack of space generally means the only option is to choose denser developments. If done right though, these dense properties can be great places to live. As one of the top architects London has, we want to take a close look at this.

Desirability

On a global stage London is not all that dense. However, in the UK it is by far the densest city. In fact, ONS population stats from 2019 show that the 20 local districts with the highest populations are all in London. This includes areas like Islington, Tower Hamlets, Hackney, and Kensington and Chelsea.

While the coronavirus pandemic has brought a change in buyer tastes, traditionally many of the densest areas were also the most desirable. As a result they became more and more built up to create new homes.

Creating communities

While many people view increasing density as a negative, it can be very successful with the right designs. The key is to create interesting buildings that provide social benefits. This is much better than simply building taller and taller towers that overshadow everything.

The goal with these denser developments should be to make them mixed use. That way each one can also bring new amenities to an area. This could include new shops, bars, restaurants, and more. These could take up the ground floor of buildings with homes above.

Developers should think about how they can increase density while also creating a sense of community. The building itself should fit into the urban area as seamlessly as possible. Then, it should feel like the people living in the building have a connection to each other. Good designs can include spaces for interaction and socialising.

Increases in density can also be easier if the project improves the local infrastructure. For example it should look to provide extra connections to transport links and amenities.

Work with passionate architects in London

At Coffey Architects we always want to find the best solutions for every project and location. This is our goal whether we are designing an individual home, an apartment block, or commercial architecture.

Clients can contact us to discuss their needs and find out what we can offer. We give them the best support as well as all the benefits of working with some of the top architects London has. This includes help with planning, advice about making buildings fit the urban landscape, and more. We even look at sustainability so that projects are gentle on the environment.