Exploring Urban Density through Complex Form and Mixed Uses

As part of a 5th-year diploma project at London Metropolitan University (2015), this scheme addressed the challenges of urban densification in Southwark. Working collaboratively, the design team proposed an ensemble of medium-rise buildings around a busy junction as an alternative to high-rise towers. Joanna’s individual focus was a prominent corner site, prompting the exploration of complex building forms and an unconventional mix of uses. The scheme integrated an auditorium with residential apartments above, creating a dynamic civic and domestic interface. The design balanced massing and proportion to shape a distinctive urban edge, while fostering connections between public, semi-public, and private realms. The project tested the potential of architecture to create layered, adaptable urban spaces within a dense city context.