Communicating complexity and ambition at planning stage.

Central St Martins in Holborn is a complex and ambitious scheme designed to transform an existing urban site into a vibrant new mixed-use neighbourhood with a hotel at its heart. The project includes the refurbishment of a historic Grade II* listed former School of Arts and Crafts, extensions to the existing 1960s building as well as the creation of new massing and basement levels. Additional opportunities to make significant improvements to the townscape will include an exciting new public space and the reinstatement of a historic route across the site introducing activity across the base of the development.

We worked with Orms on images to support the planning application, producing 16 verified views alongside a suite of 6 DAS views. This significant scheme was submitted during lockdown when it was not possible to have in-person committees or to present three-dimensional physical models. Orms invited us to explore new and compelling ways to present the scheme remotely and engage the committee and community.

We developed the idea of a dynamic infographic film, showcasing the digital model, combined with existing assets and our in-house context model of London. We collaborated with Orms to develop a script that closely aligned the animation with the logical progression and presentation of the design, showing the key sequential programming of proposed activity at ground level and illustrating a variety of uses of the central courtyard.

The film was incredibly well received and contributed to a successful planning application.

Project Collaborators:

Photography: John Maclean