Today marks the publication of plans for the future of Lancaster West Estate, following a resident-led co-design process to improve the Estate following the Grenfell tragedy.

Lancaster West Residents’ Association and Kensington and Chelsea Council are working together with the residents to co-design the future of Estate in collaboration with some of the UK’s leading architects.

The six architectural practices today present design ideas for Lancaster West, which is one of London’s largest estates, as part of an improvement plan designed to help local residents rebuild their lives after the tragic fire at Grenfell Tower.

The Government announced last year it was making £28m available to help with the recovery effort, £15m of which has been earmarked to improve the estate – which the council have committed to at least match-funding.

Two large, public workshops were held in January and March, alongside many smaller meetings that engaged with residents across the Estate to identify and discuss their specific challenges. At these events both residents and architects shared ideas that would feed into future plans and will continue to work together to ensure these plans are realised. A series of immediate projects are set to begin shortly, with work on larger projects planned for next year.

Jacqui Haynes, Chair of Lancaster West Residents’ Association said:
“This is our unique opportunity to have a voice on the future of own our estate. After the tragedy of last June, this is a fundamental step in residents beginning the process of rebuilding their lives and looking to the future.  Many of our residents attended the events and we are clear on the need for positive change.  The LWRA is working to ensure that the Council lives up to its promises to continue to listen to residents and make this a model estate and secure our rights to improved living conditions.”

Design Team:
Architects:
– Levitt Bernstein (lead and co-ordination)
– Penoyre & Prasad (co-lead)
– Adjaye Associates
– Cullinan Studio
– Maccreanor Lavington
– Murray John Architects

Landscape Architects:
– Andy Sturgeon Design
– Levitt Bernstein

Sustainability:
– Twinn Sustainability Innovation

Community Engagement and facilitation:
– Fluid
– Newman Francis

The first initial ideas generated by local architect Murray John, just one of many to be put forward in the months ahead, can be viewed at: https://tinyurl.com/ydfpcbde. The refurbishment website with additional background information can be found at: http://lancwestrefurb.com.

The Lancaster West Estate is home to over 1,000 households. It was designed in 1967 as part of a major redevelopment scheme in Kensington and Chelsea.