Garden Hill, Birmingham

In April 2017, London-based practice Architects of Invention (AI) revealed design proposals for a new residential complex in Birmingham.

Located in the Digbeth area, Garden Hill is said to be inspired by the Hanging Gardens of Babylon; being described as ‘an oasis-like residence for Birmingham’s growing, multi-cultural population.’

The complex will be 25-storeys high, designed as staggered towers hung with gardens at every level. It will include 500 units, 60% of which will be one-bed (40-50 sq. m), and 40% two-bed (63-75 sq. m). All occupants will be able to access private and shared terraces as well as a spacious rooftop garden.

Constructed using combined cross-laminated timber (CLT) and concrete, it is said to be ‘an exercise in highly sustainable construction’.

AI was approached by the Chinese private equity fund PGC-Capital, whose apartment complex The Jewel Court is already on site in Birmingham.

The complex aims to provide a new residential model to live, work and play; with large shared facilities for communal living and working, including music recording units and small rental units for creative start-ups.

The budget for the development is £70 million.

Content and images courtesy of Architects of Invention.

[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki

• Building of the week series.
• HAUT, Amsterdam.
• Hyperion, Bordeaux.
• Sluishuis.
• Tratoppen, Stockholm.