Belfast Waterside by Henning Larsen

Belfast Waterside
Belfast Waterside
Image © Henning Larsen

The Belfast Waterside is set to revive Belfast inviting people to repopulate the city connecting it across the River. Belfast Waterside will fully activate the potential of the River Lagan creating a year-round vibrant, pedestrian friendly community complete with cultural venues, leisure and retail facilities, 750 homes, hotels and office spaces.

Belfast Waterside
Image © Henning Larsen

The new £400 M masterplan for the Belfast Waterside development is designed by Scandinavian-based architectural practice Henning Larsen specializing in sustainable urban developments with a strong focus on generous public realms and attractive livable communities.

Belfast Waterside
Image © Henning Larsen

We are going to create the framework for people to feel part of a shared public life by River Lagan making it attractive to stay in the city. River Lagan will no longer create a barrier in Belfast but is going to connect it instead,” says Jacob Kurek, partner at Henning Larsen

Belfast Waterside
Image © Henning Larsen

Outdoor season in Belfast prolonged to create vibrant city life
The unique terraced stone landscape of the Giant’s Causeway was a general source of inspiration for the new urban development, from the stepped massing of the buildings, the layout of the terraced landscape areas, to the use of stone and geometric patterns in outdoor surfaces and pavements.

Belfast Waterside
Image © Henning Larsen

The strategy of positioning of the lower buildings towards the waterfront in the Belfast Waterside development guides winds over buildings instead of through the streets. In the harsh temperate oceanic climate zone of Belfast Henning Larsen estimates that this approach reduces wind speed prolonging the amount of weeks per year it’s comfortable to spend time outside from the current 9 weeks to an impressive 25 weeks.

Belfast Waterside
Image © Henning Larsen

“Analyzing the thermal microclimate we applied an effective scale-gradient strategy to the project. By placing the tallest office buildings along the north, facing the railway, we will create a noise blocking acoustic barrier. ” Jacob Kurek says. Construction of the 1,7 m sqft development begins summer 2018. The project is being developed by Swinford Sirocco Limited, who expect the project to be completed in the summer of 2022. Source by Henning Larsen.

Belfast Waterside
Image © Henning Larsen
  • Location: Belfast, Ireland
  • Architect: Henning Larsen
  • Developer: Vanguard Real Estate
  • Investment: £400m
  • New Homes: 750
  • Area: 1,7 m sqft
  • Year: 2018
  • Images: Courtesy of Henning Larsen

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *