Great architecture does more than create beautiful buildings; it forges connections between people and places. The spaces between buildings are just as important. Prioritising the public realm can transform these leftover spaces into thriving community assets, directly investing in the health, culture, and economy of a neighbourhood.
At KSR Architects, we design for people and site. This encapsulates everything from built and unbuilt, to movement, and connections. This philosophy is woven into our work across London, from large-scale masterplans to ephemeral, joyful installations.
Located directly on the Regent’s Canal, we designed Enclave KX to be a vital gateway linking the distinct energies of King’s Cross and Camden. The mixed-use development, comprising 121 apartments, commercial space, and enriching landscaped areas, is defined by the spaces and walls between. We wove new, interlinking routes and a new canal footbridge through the site, transforming a once uninviting stretch of water into a vibrant public corridor.
“Unlocking the potential of this complex site required careful balancing of conflicting demands… the adjoining buildings coordinate and prioritise the public realm between structures.” – Gordon Jefferys, KSR Partner
By revitalising the canalside, our permeable design encourages healthier, more sustainable modes of travel. It’s an invitation to walk, cycle, and connect, bringing long-term social, economic, and environmental value to the community.
This spirit of public activation can be ephemeral yet profound. For a few days during the 2014 Camden Create Festival, our pop-up pavilion animated the space outside Camden Town Station. Affectionately nicknamed the ‘Camden Chandelier’, its 640 colourful tubes swayed in the breeze, creating an iridescent, kinetic windchime that captivated the public.
Despite its short lifespan, the impact was immediate and long lasting. The kaleidoscopic structure activated the area with light, movement, and sound. We designed it to invite interaction, giving the community authorship over the sculpture. People paused to sit on its pedestal, lay beneath its rainbow canopy, and simply enjoy a shared moment of wonder.
‘It brightens the day. People can concentrate on art and not causing trouble.’ – Camden Local
From a temporary installation to a masterplan for an entire neighbourhood, the same principles apply. On the other side of the Thames, our design for the Ruby Triangle in Southwark revives a historic industrial site framed by Old Kent Road, Sandgate Street, and Ruby Street.
Working closely with Southwark Council and the local community, we developed proposals for a contemporary, mixed-use development that reinforces a sense of place. With affordable retail and commercial units at its base, our masterplan provides the framework for a new town centre, designed with the needs of local people and businesses at its core. The masterplan is now being implemented with work by some of London’s most renowned designers.
These projects share a common thread: the belief that well-designed public spaces are essential for a community’s wellbeing and creating lasting value. When a canal path becomes a welcoming thoroughfare, an urban plaza becomes a place for spontaneous joy, or a forgotten triangle becomes a town centre, the impact is tangible. It’s about creating gateways, not barriers—designing spaces where community, culture, and commerce can thrive together.
