The Atlas

Utilising a structurally efficient and unique triangular form

Walsh were appointed by Downing when they initially acquired the site and worked with architects FCB studios a to develop the scheme to planning and then to construction. The Atlas building in Lambeth went on to become the first tall building in the Vauxhall high-rise cluster to be built south of the railway. Local Planning consultants Ralph Judd were engaged to facilitate the planning application, which had to justify the height and mass of the tower in the context of the local park.

At 32 storeys the development provides over 500 student bedrooms and includes a rooftop amenity space. To enhance the local public facilities the development also includes a new 25m public swimming pool within its basement plus a new gym. The basement pool can been seen via lightwells in the ground floor either side of the main entrance which allow lots of natural light within the basement facility.

The façade is a variegated design of terracotta tiles supported on Sips panels. The plan of the building is a unique triangular shape which address the specific confinements of the site being located adjacent to the raised rail lines through Vauxhall station and Vauxhall Park.

The corner of the triangular tower is used for kitchens and common rooms, with eight student beds aligned along each face. The internal layout led to a unique triangular core arrangement, which was found to be structurally very efficient and stiff. To eliminate transfer post-tensioned slab were used which also helped keep weight and carbon down.

One further unique element of the design is the colonnade along South Lambeth Road. These columns are triangular just to mirror the shape of the building above.