Design Delivery Unit Wins AJ100 Executive Architect of the Year Award

Design Delivery Unit last night won the AJ100 Executive Architect of the Year award, beating off competitors Veretec and Stockwool.

With Judges remarking: ‘Design Delivery Unit is not precious; it is extremely professional and it has the mindset to succeed. It works well with both architects and clients. It applies design skills to make the project better. Its confidence comes across and it recognises its value.’  

Work on Prince of Wales Drive, Battersea formed the basis of the award submission. The judges’ enthusiastic verdict was that: ‘They added an extraordinary amount of value without diminishing the design at all – with a good heart and sensitivity.’

The redevelopment of the historic gasholder site by Battersea Power Station was originally designed by Squire & Partners and backed by St William, a joint venture between Berkeley Homes and the National Grid, who are redeveloping gas stations across London. Design Delivery Unit were appointed to optimise the consented scheme while safeguarding the original design.

The team identified a number of intelligent wins – for example, working within the same envelope and massing, but reconfiguring the apartment layouts to add one additional unit per floor. This resulted in a further 116 apartments across the development. By making the plant and services rooms and structures more efficient it was also able to add an additional storey to the taller blocks. 

The basement footprint was reorganised, whilst further enhancements were made to the scheme by reusing one of the gasholder structures to form an additional basement level, which will house a 1,500 sq m commercial gym and residents’ pool and spa area, none of which existed in the consented scheme.  

In terms of the Design Delivery Unit Judges commented: ‘The firm thinks in terms of creative partnerships, while formal feedback systems ensure learnings are captured’.