One West Point
Jo Cowen Architects are working with City and Docklands on the creation of the iconic One West Point. Gary Sachs, CEO of C+D and his team have sought to create an exemplary 750 apartment development for West London within the OPDC which is entirely Build-to-rent, but focussed on a local and international demographic of residents.
As the tallest residential tower outside of Canary Wharf, this is more than a collection of apartments – One Portal West is a lifestyle, a community of thoughtfully designed homes connected by the highest quality amenity spaces. In addition to views, the location and landscaped garden, One Portal West will also provide private resident’ only lounges, the Long Bar, an outdoor Fire Garden, tech hub, state of the art gym, cinema and private events rooms. The members ‘Union bar’ and luxury food hall will complement the on-site amenity and allow One Portal West a truly international reach.
The design responds to the vibrancy of city life, but also integrates the relaxation of nature and the garden into the building interiors. We feel that this is an exciting juxtaposition to the raw concrete columns and modern wall to floor glazing to all of the spaces. This design is all about light and spatial flow, centred on comfortable places to dwell and work. We have combined the raw concrete columns and oak floors with biophilia, indoor gardens and living drapery. And in our aspiration for a cultured interior, the inclusion of objects d’art, modern deco inspired furnishings and lighting that is both expressive yet soft indulgent. In some instances, like the tech hub and more intimate meet spaces, we sought to use a combination of reeded glass, herringbone timber and bespoke rugs to define areas.
The ceilings are exposed, lit and raw, interspersed with living green planting and dropped pendent lighting. We have sought to maximise the ceiling heights, creating a sense of space and openness. A bold gesture with the Long Bar creates an instant identity for the resident’s lounge, a place to gather, work and relax. The Courtyard Fire Garden, the epitome of London living, provides sheltered vibrant outdoor lounge space centred on a large fire pit and opulent planters, fully serviced by the outdoor bar.
The use of live edge timber, reeded glass, eclectic patterns and natural contours will enhance one’s enjoyment of the spaces. We have avoided the expected and sought to provide that ‘member experience’, that feeling of being part of a like-minded community. Real spaces where creativity flows and friendships are formed.
We have sought to curate spaces that enhance social interaction and wellness thereby cultivating the balance between live, work and play.
The tech hub incorporates private desks and open plan workspace opening onto a double height ‘thinker space’ designed for creativity and interaction. The cinema room and private event space has been curated to feel intimate, like a private club, with large sofas, panelling, concealed kitchens and dining table – a place for entertaining and being with friends.
The careful use of texture, colour and wellbeing are the foundations of our interior design concept. We hope that the resident instantly feel at home in these spaces, yet inspired by the abundance of texture, greenery and light.
