The winning design to Reimagine Thornton Heath showcases  a radical revamp which would transform the dated architectural centre.

Architecture students Maria Tsvetkova,  Becky Barnett and Samuel Beattie won the competition with this stunning contemporary concept which  has a green heart.

The contest was organised by Thornton Heath Community Action Team with the aim of generating  fresh, creative and new ideas to ignite interest in redeveloping the area.

The brief for the competition followed consultation during last year’s Thornton Heath Festival, where residents expressed a desire for more green space, affordable work and living spaces, a cultural heart with amenities for young and old. 

Architecture students were asked to devise a vision of high-density mixed-use sustainable developments taking in Ambassador House, the Tesco complex incorporating Kettering and Laxton Court, the station and Iceland site.

They had to create a masterplan with a detailed concept for one of the sites. 

The competition was judged by Carl Turner,  of Carl Turner Architects founding director of Make Shift, who are taking a new approach to the use of space in cities. His other projects have included Peckham Levels and Pop Brixton.

The students proposal sees the Tesco complex demolished and redeveloped in to a co-living space with educational, commercial and entertainment facilities including a cinema and theatre, with a variety of retail spaces and a large public square, adjacent to a new station entrance between the railway and Parchmore Road. 

The winning trio have all been gaining work experience while studying as architectural assistants with Atkins Global, and Maria worked on the East Croydon Masterplan.

The design advocates: creating pockets of smaller public spaces adjacent to new station entrances, with affordable homes and a pedestrian link bridge on the north. The business hub in the redesigned Ambassador House would incorporate incubators and start up office space. 

The proposal also suggests hierarchy of outdoor open spaces: public, semi public and private gardens and balconies to enable all to have access to green space. 

Carl said: “I think it is a fresh and creative approach, with health and wellbeing at its heart. The project also explores both retention and demolition of existing buildings, and is a masterplan capable of delivery in phases.

“ At its core, a clear idea of establishing a green heart for Thornton Heath through a series of terraced roof gardens. “Overall a really strong project which reminds me of some of the great place-making evident in Scandinavia.”

The full brief and winning design can be viewed at www.cr7shine.co.uk