Wembley Parade

: Structural Engineer: PTA, MEP/ Sustainability Engineer: Silcock Dawson, Landscape Designer: Fabrik, Daylight Consultant: GIA, Topographical Surveys: Murphy Surveys, Transport Consultant: RPS, Acoustic Consultant: Hann Tucker, Planning Consultant: JLL, Quantity Surveyor: Equals, Building Inspector: MLM, Photographer: Jack Hobhouse

Sited on the edge of Brent’s Wembley Estate Opportunity Area, GRID Architects have designed and delivered Wembley Parade for Anthology, part of Lifestory. The striking curved forms provide 192 exemplary new homes across a range of tenures and typologies, set within beautiful communal gardens that trace the edge of the nearby Wealdstone Brook. Wembley Parade contributes to an area that is developing into a great place to live and work, knitting into the London Borough of Brent’s strategic regeneration proposals. The scheme is comprised of two elements, a sweeping curved block which follows the edge of the brook and a 13-storey tower. A landscaped courtyard designed by Fabrik creates 18,500 sq ft of shared amenity space, together with a topiary garden and a dedicated play area for children and families. The apartment types create a variety of living spaces flooded with light and extended views. Biodiverse plant species have been chosen specifically; cherry trees bring seasonal interest, while the Silver Birches offer shelter without obstructing sightlines into the courtyard. The gardens are planted to provide seasonal interest throughout the year and the raised ground floor level provides privacy to the homes at street level. Photovoltaic panels at roof level work in tandem with the on-site CHP plant to reduce reliance on carbon-based energy sources. The site’s proximity to good transportation links meant that GRID was able to limit parking provision in favour of 356 cycle racks, folded bike storage and dedicated recycling facilities.