SQ
LAND USE & NEIGHBOURHOOD STURCTURE
Land Use
​
Silo D stands alone on its own plot at the heart of the commercial and retail centre of the development. This location should provide a steady flow of visitors throughout the day which in turn will activate the public realm and bring vitality to an area that is currently very quiet.
​
The structure will house a number of uses including a gallery, performance space and cafe with wrap around deck that will all be used at different times to ensure the area remains active, vibrant and safe throughout the day and into the evening.
​
The surrounding buildings have been designed to not exceed the 9 storey height of the Silo in order to honor its heritage and allow it to stand out as a defining landmark of the development.
Land use zoning map.
Retail/hospitality/leisure uses
Commercial uses
Neighbourhood Structure
​
The building has been designed to respond to its local context. Due to the exceedingly diverse population of Newham (over 100 different languages are spoken), the Silo will create a centre of culture where people from all communities can feel welcomed, safe and accepted.
Cultures and diversity will be celebrated through local art and performance and this will foster a stronger social fabric that in turn should lead to a stronger sense of belonging, aiding the community to be less transient.
Silo D will provide a shared facility for all to gather, socialise and learn.
Access to Facilities
​
The community questionnaire highlighted the need to support local businesses and young people and therefore the events space and gallery will be designed to be slightly smaller than most, allowing for more intimate events that are cheaper to host than those at larger venues.
​
The community café will take advantage of a large wrap around waterfront deck and which responds to recent community consultation where residents' voiced their desire for a cafe or meeting place.
The lido and changing facilities will be open offer to all, preventing the building being for the sole use of residents. Free swimming lessons will also be offered to allow local people to gain another vital life skill.
The new waterfront cafe will provide a much needed meeting place for residents, just like in the case of the numerous new social facilities on Baltimore's waterfront.
Access to Opportunities
​
The cafe will run as a not-for-profit venture and will be stocked with fresh produce from the floating beds which will minimise costs, allowing prices to be made affordable for those living in more deprived areas of the community.
Similar to the Good Hotel located across the dock, the cafe will provide fairly paid jobs for local people and hospitality apprenticeships for young people within the community.
​
The daily running of the community cafe will be based around the circular economy and creation of jobs and apprenticeships which are some of the overarching objectives of the development as a whole.
​
​
