Albany Road Architect Elephant and Castle development
Albany Road Architect Development
This new residential development offers three desirable apartments in a fantastic location.
The development consists of an existing brick building from the 1950's with two new extensions; an aluminium mesh clad two storey element to the front corner and a charred timber clad unit on top.
The material palette was inspired by the industrial history and vibrancy of the now disused Surrey canal, an anchor point for Burgess park's location directly opposite the building. The cladding of the top box is in burnt larch, an ancient japanese art of burning timber called Shou Sugi Ban (or Yakisugi), that preserves wood by charing it with fire. This unique technic creates a waterproof, extremely durable, and paradoxically fire-resistant material with a rich, deeply-textured appearance and colours ranging from inky black to silver grey that shimmers in the light.
This marries together with the shimmering silver aluminium mesh that clads the corner extension and which adjoins a fair-faced cast concrete light-well garden that draws light from the South into the basement level. The facades feature full height picture windows to maximise light, with some stunning views across Burgess Park in every apartment that is complemented by the choice of natural materials inside.
Designed by Emulsion, a vibrant London based architecture practice, featured on Dezeen and in Wallpaper magazine for its holistic approach to design, shapes and materials. This year named one of Britain's best emerging architecture practice in the UK by The Architecture Foundation and published in their New Architects 3 publication.
Featured articles and news
Ebenezer Howard: inventor of the garden city. Book review.
The Grenfell Tower fire, eight years on
A time to pause and reflect as Dubai tower block fire reported just before anniversary.
Airtightness Topic Guide BSRIA TG 27/2025
Explaining the basics of airtightness, what it is, why it's important, when it's required and how it's carried out.
Construction contract awards hit lowest point of 2025
Plummeting for second consecutive month, intensifying concerns for housing and infrastructure goals.
Understanding Mental Health in the Built Environment 2025
Examining the state of mental health in construction, shedding light on levels of stress, anxiety and depression.
The benefits of engaging with insulation manufacturers
When considering ground floor constructions.
Lighting Industry endorses Blueprint for Electrification
The Lighting Industry Association fully supports the ECA Blueprint as a timely, urgent call to action.
BSRIA Sentinel Clerk of Works Training Case Study
Strengthening expertise to enhance service delivery with integrated cutting-edge industry knowledge.
Impact report from the Supply Chain Sustainability School
Free sustainability skills, training and support delivered to thousands of UK companies to help cut carbon.
The Building Safety Forum at the Installershow 2025
With speakers confirmed for 24 June as part of Building Safety Week.
The UK’s largest air pollution campaign.
Future Homes Standard, now includes solar, but what else?
Will the new standard, due to in the Autumn, go far enough in terms of performance ?
BSRIA Briefing: Cleaner Air, Better tomorrow
A look back at issues relating to inside and outside air quality, discussed during the BSRIA briefing in 2023.
Restoring Abbotsford's hothouse
Bringing the writer Walter Scott's garden to life.
Reflections on the spending review with CIAT.
Retired firefighter cycles world to raise Grenfell funds
Leaving on 14 June 2025 Stephen will raise money for youth and schools through the Grenfell Foundation.
Key points for construction at a glance with industry reactions.