Brent Cross Town, London, UK

Brent Cross Town is one of Europe’s largest developments. A brand new £5 billion development, based in the heart of the London Borough of Barnet (LBoB).

Urban regeneration and placemaking specialists Related Argent, have the overarching responsibility for delivering Brent Cross Town in conjunction with LBoB, with the intention of developing a prosperous neighbourhood and town centre. Brent Cross Town is set around 50 acres of green space and playing fields, and offers nearly 7000 new homes, retail, food and drink venues, as well as three redeveloped schools.

Related Argent initially appointed Michael Grubb Studio to create a sitewide Lighting Masterplan, before subsequently commissioning the Studio to work on six public realm projects within the area. These included Railway Street, High Street, Claremont Way, Claremont Park, and Neighbourhood Square, which are all prominent areas within the scheme.

As the project has evolved, the Studio has been awarded further work to provide lighting designs for a number of plots, including high-end residential and commercial buildings.  The scope has varied hugely, including exterior and interior design of communal spaces such as receptions, lobbies, roof terraces, swimming pools, gyms and meeting places.

In addition, the Michael Grubb team has recently completed the designs for the new Primary Substation. This will form an integral piece of key infrastructure at Brent Cross Town, delivering power to the area as well as to nearby Brent Cross North in the future.

Located at a visually prominent gateway of Brent Cross Town, Michael Grubb Studio has created a design that seeks to transform a neglected site, and what could be seen as a utilitarian structure, into an eye-catching landmark to benefit the local community.

As well as working alongside Regent Argent, Michael Grubb Studio has collaborated with many other partners including Gillespies, Townshends, Conran & Partners, Allies & Morrison, and Whittam Cox Architects. Other key collaborators are IF_DO Architects, ARUP, Andy Sturgeon, Sweco, and Mace & Cast.

Michael Grubb, Founder and Managing Director of Michael Grubb Studio, said: “Brent Cross Town has been a significant project for us, which kept expanding from our original remit. It has been wonderful to start on a specific area of the town and keep growing our footprint into different areas, seeing the impact of our designs on so many of the area’s spaces and places.

“Brent Cross Town has a fantastic future ahead and we’re delighted that we’ve been able to play a key role in the development, working alongside so many other expert organisations.”

Michael Grubb Studio will continue to work at Lighting Guardians for Related Argent, overseeing and commenting on designs that are developed by others.