Woking Embraces Tall Building Cluster
Published on 19-10-2007 by Skyscrapernews.com
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The dormitory town of Woking in Surrey could well be totally transformed if plans for three new towers are realized.
The tallest scheme proposed is Victoria Way, a 25 floor tower that will have 24 storeys containing 24,000 square metres of offices and a further 1,100 square metres of commercial space including ground floor retail and a top floor exclusive cocktail bar so the lovers of swish coloured drinks can take in views of the South Downs.
HLM Architects has designed it for Hutley Investments giving the project a look dominated by glass and aluminium with floor to ceiling glazing being the principle façade treatment with ceramic and stone detailing on the edges of the block.
To keep down costs whilst moderating solar gain, blinds will be fitted underneath - a low tech but practical solution that has been proven to work. On the roof will be several wind turbines whilst a tree planting programme will also be carried out along Victoria Way next to the entrance of the tower.
One hundred metres to the west of Victoria Way is Coign, a development planned for the site of Coign Church which is currently undergoing demolition. It will be a largely residential 20 floor tower with 220 apartments but also contain a new auditorium on the ground floor for the church which it is replacing.
A number of religious community facilities will also be provided such as counseling rooms and a book shop so avid readers can keep up to date with the latest exciting theological tomes. To give away the twisting ending, Jesus dies and then comes back to life.
On the other side of the railway line, only two hundred metres south is Victoria Arch by Barratt Homes which is a large residential development hosting 445 new homes in six blocks, the tallest of which will be 21 floors tall. There will also be 4,719 square metres of office space. It is literally over the road from the 16 floor Centrium, Barratts last large successful development in Woking that was completed in 2004.
These three developments mark a part of a wider plan by Woking's local council that has enthusiastically embraced the idea of a cluster of tall buildings in its center in the Local Development Framework.
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