Heathrow
A vision for the existing Heathrow site to discover how it could be redeveloped to create new jobs and homes. A new ‘Liveable Landscape’ comprised of a layered context of forestation, historic landscaping, and city activities is created on the inherited ecologically and culturally inert post-airport landscape.
A liveable Landscape
A design charrette by New London Architecture (NLA) saw Maccreanor Lavington react to the possible future scenario of relocating air traffic currently using Heathrow into the Thames Estuary.
The forestation, historic landscape and productive, ecological processes deliver innovation through bioremediation, energy and food production, whilst creating an autonomous landscape for neighbourhoods to inhabit over time. Within this new city, activities create a civic and cultural base for employment and global research. Existing buildings are used as seeds and nodes to establish fresh development.
Anchoring functions determine the character of the centres within Heathrow city, and where possible appropriate residual airport infrastructure for new functions. A technology campus within the Grade II listed BOAC hangar will augment London’s global superiority for innovation, a civic centre within the newly completed Terminal 2, and an international exhibition and conference centre within the emblematic Terminal 5, will be supported by industrial employment, and liveable neighbourhoods, supporting a projected 80,000 homes and providing up to 90,000 jobs.
An initiative by the Mayor of London
In 2014 the Mayor of London was urging the Airports Commission to consider the potential for a new hub airport in the Inner Thames Estuary and looking for ideas on how the existing Heathrow site could be redeveloped to create new jobs and homes.
With London’s population forecast to grow from 8.3 million people today to 10 million people by 2030 and 11 million by 2050, the Mayor was determined that major infrastructure decisions, such as airport expansion, had to contribute towards a wider and longer-term view for the London and UK economy. As part of this work Maccreanor Lavington:MLA+ were commissioned to visualise the potential of the site to provide new homes, jobs and a vibrant new destination for London.
Client: Greater London Authority / Transport for London
Size: 1.5ha