This London Apartment Building Has A Historic Inspiration And A Modern Prefab Approach

A modern apartment building in London features a red brick courtyard with tall arches, a curved staircase, and a central reflecting pool. Designed by Alison Brooks Architects, Cadence draws inspiration from Victorian architecture.

Photography ©Hufton+Crow

In London’s King’s Cross neighborhood, a new apartment building by Alison Brooks Architects takes inspiration from the past while using a modern approach to construction. Named Cadence, the red brick development features an unusual collection of arches inspired by nearby St Pancras Station. But despite its elaborate appearance, 85% of the building’s components were prefabricated off-site.

The red brick towers of Cadence in London's King's Cross feature stepped building forms, arched windows, and balconies. The contemporary apartment development combines Victorian-inspired architecture with prefabricated construction.

Photography ©Hufton+Crow

The Arches Were Inspired By A Victorian Railway Station

The building’s red-orange brick and curved openings reference the Victorian Gothic architecture of St Pancras Station. Instead of repeating one traditional arch shape, the architects used curves of different heights and widths, creating openings that change in appearance across the building.

A row of tall red brick arches defines the exterior of a contemporary apartment building in London. The curved brickwork creates a repeating architectural pattern along the street.

Photography ©Hufton+Crow

Large arched windows and glass entrances are framed by red brick on the ground floor of Cadence in London. The curved openings bring a Victorian-inspired architectural detail to a modern building.

Photography ©Hufton+Crow

The brickwork adds another layer of detail. Bricks follow the curves of the openings, forming patterns that emphasize their shapes. The arches appear at street level, around entrances, and high above the city, giving the different parts of the building a shared architectural identity.

A close-up of a red brick arch reveals curved brickwork and a patterned metal screen. The architectural detail highlights the different materials and repeated curves used throughout Cadence in London.

Photography ©Hufton+Crow

An elevated red brick arch frames an outdoor terrace between sections of a modern London apartment building. Surrounding windows, metal railings, and trees add to the layered architectural composition.

Photography ©Hufton+Crow

An Elaborate Design Built With Prefabricated Components

One of the more surprising aspects of Cadence is how it was constructed. Working with Laing O’Rourke, the development team used prefabrication for 85% of the building’s components, including precast concrete columns, beams, floor slabs, stairs, structural sections, and facade panels.

The components were manufactured off-site before being transported for assembly, helping to reduce construction waste and delivery traffic in the densely developed King’s Cross neighborhood. The approach also allowed for greater quality control during manufacturing. The result illustrates how extensive prefabrication can be used to deliver architecture with complex shapes and detailed exterior finishes.

An architectural elevation drawing shows the main entrance of Cadence in London, with two tall brick arches, curved brick patterns, and glass doors. The design illustrates how the building's arches vary in height and width.

Two Towers Designed Around A Constrained Site

Cadence occupies a six-sided site overlooking Lewis Cubitt Park. Its two towers rise to 12 and 16 stories, with lower sections linking them together. The unusual arrangement responds partly to underground tunnels and infrastructure, which restricted how the site could be developed.

A red brick residential tower rises above Lewis Cubitt Park in London's King's Cross neighborhood. The tall apartment building features unusual arched openings at its upper levels and a landscaped park in the foreground.

Photography ©Paul Riddle

The stepped red brick buildings of Cadence overlook a green park in London's King's Cross. Recessed balconies, arched openings, and trees soften the appearance of the contemporary apartment development.

Photography ©Paul Riddle

The stepped building shape also serves a practical purpose. By creating additional corners, the architects were able to include more apartments with windows facing in two directions, improving opportunities for natural ventilation and views. Recessed and projecting balconies, along with terraces at different levels, provide additional outdoor spaces.

A close-up of a modern red brick apartment building shows projecting metal balconies, recessed windows, and brickwork arranged around a building corner. The varied openings create depth across the exterior.

Photography ©Paul Riddle

An oversized arched opening appears partway up the red brick exterior of Cadence, with a taller residential tower behind it. The contemporary London building uses arches at several different heights.

Photography ©Paul Riddle

A Courtyard Surrounded By Arches

At the center of the development, the arches take on a different role. A courtyard organized around a reflecting pool is surrounded by tall brick openings and covered walkways. The water introduces reflections of the architecture, while the surrounding walls create a space that feels separate from the streets outside.

A red brick courtyard surrounded by apartment buildings features repeated arches, a reflecting pool, and planted terraces. The enclosed outdoor space forms part of the Cadence residential development in London.

Photography ©Paul Riddle

A courtyard reflecting pool mirrors illuminated red brick arches and apartment windows at Cadence in London. Covered walkways and large curved openings surround the shared outdoor space.

Photography ©Paul Riddle

The courtyard is also part of the building’s shared spaces. A community room overlooks the water, while a curved staircase and vaulted passages continue the architectural language of the exterior. The repeated arches create a series of views through the building, allowing the courtyard to be experienced from different angles.

A curved metal staircase crosses in front of two large red brick arches within the courtyard of a London apartment building. Decorative metal screens repeat the curved shapes of the surrounding architecture.

A modern apartment building lobby features tall white vaulted ceilings, repeating arches, floor-to-ceiling windows, and a central mailbox unit. The interior continues the curved architectural design of Cadence in London.

The Arches Continue Into The Apartments

The arched design extends into the residential interiors, designed by Conran & Partners. In some apartments, oversized arched windows frame views across London, while others open onto balconies incorporated into the curved exterior openings.

An oversized arched window frames views across London from a bright apartment interior. Pale wood flooring, white walls, and additional tall windows complement the unusual curved opening.

A contemporary apartment living and dining area features a large arched glass doorway opening onto a balcony. Light wood flooring, modern furniture, and indoor plants complement the curved architecture.

A contemporary lounge features a large arched window overlooking a red brick courtyard. Modern upholstered chairs, a low coffee table, and pale flooring create a simple seating area beside the oversized window.

The building contains 163 homes, including 60 affordable apartments, above two floors of commercial, social, and service spaces. Shared rooftop terraces add landscaped outdoor areas above the surrounding streets, extending the development’s collection of communal spaces beyond the central courtyard.

A landscaped rooftop terrace at a London apartment building features a long outdoor table, seating, trees, and planted garden beds. Red brick architecture and an arched balcony provide the backdrop.

Curved red brick garden beds filled with ornamental grasses, shrubs, and trees define a landscaped rooftop terrace in London. The elevated outdoor space provides views over the surrounding city.

Cadence brings together two architectural approaches that might seem unlikely partners. Its arches establish a visible connection to London’s Victorian past, while the extensive use of prefabricated components shows how contemporary construction techniques can accommodate a building with an elaborate and distinctive design.

Architect: Alison Brooks Architects | Interior design: Conran & Partners | Landscape: Todd Longstaffe-Gowan / Bradley-Hole Schoenaich Landscape | Structure: Ramboll UK | Services: Hoare Lea | Cost: Faithful + Gould | Lighting: Speirs + Major | Visualisations: Filippo Bolognese