Architects in London sketch out proposals for ‘Heathrow City’

Architects have come up with designs for Heathrow City — a 190,000-home town that would spring up if the west London airport closes.

Supported by London mayor Boris Johnson, who backs a Thames Estuary airport to replace Heathrow, the redevelopment could potentially support 90,000 jobs and add £7.5bn (€9.4bn) to the British economy.

Designs, from three firms of architects, include plans for new park land, scientific research centres, and a factory for modular housing units to make it easier for people to build their own homes. Commissioned by Transport for London, the designs are:

nHawkins Brown — This is the one that includes the factory-for-homes plan. Online customisation would allow Londoners to order homes to their own specifications.

nRick Mather Architects — Their proposal would see the Heathrow site evolve to become a new hub city by working with the existing structure. The former runways would define the structure of the city and connect 10 distinct centres.

Developers would look to create a research, technology and manufacturing hub.

* Maccreanor Lavington — Their vision aims to develop a fully functioning city within the metropolis. A technology campus would be built to the east of the current site. The former Terminal 2 building would be renovated to become a civic centre and retail hub.

The Thames Estuary airport plan — dubbed “Boris Island” is currently being considered by the Airports Commission although recent reports prepared for the commission have cast doubt on its feasibility.

The commission is due to make a decision this autumn on whether the plan joins Heathrow and Gatwick runway schemes on the commission’s shortlist.