Lambeth Civic Quarter

Our brief was to enhance the history while providing modern facilities. Cartwright Pickard’s scheme meets these aims but has also created new spaces that have delighted visitors and been enthusiastically welcomed by Councillors, staff and the public.

Dan Murray, Senior Programme Manager, Lambeth Council

Client London Borough of Lambeth / Muse Developments
Location Brixton, London
Completion Ongoing

Services

RIBA stages 1-6
Architectural design
Masterplanning
Public engagement

Awards

Sunday Times British Homes Awards - Mixed-use Development of the Year
RIBA London Award 2018
Building Magazine Awards - Project of the Year (shortlisted)
AJ Architecture Awards - Mixed-use Project of the Year (shortlisted)

Lambeth Council's new civic quarter is centred around the refurbishment of the Grade II Listed Lambeth Town Hall and the construction of a new 11,000sqm BREEAM Excellent Civic Centre.

The Council's drive was to rationalise outdated building stock to reduce running costs and centralise the Borough's facilities to create a more efficient organisation.

The project has achieved this aim, reducing the Council's core office buildings from fourteen to two, saving taxpayer money and cutting the Council's carbon footprint by a third.

The masterplan creates a public realm setting for the two civic buildings on Brixton Hill that leads into a more domestic street setting for affordable and market housing, delivered as part of the wider masterplan.

The project was named the Best Mixed-use Development in the UK at the Sunday Times British Homes Awards in 2019.

In addition to the Town Hall and Civic Centre, the masterplan also includes:

Somerset Place

Replacing a tired office block, Somerset Place provides 94 new homes in a new building with a landmark 14-storey tower, with ground floor commercial space.

Ivor House

We sensitively refurbished this 1930s former department store, creating 26 new high quality apartments which celebrate the building's unique art deco character.

The Press

A new cycle hub with 218 cycle parking spaces, changing/shower facilities and a café.

Olive Morris House

Replacing an existing council building with 74 new homes in a 7-storey building, with flexible commercial space at ground floor and basement level.

James Pickard recently took part in the Estates Gazette (EG) Property Podcast alongside Morgan Sindall Group company Muse, discussing our work on Lambeth Civic Quarter and the wider regeneration of Brixton.