CIG wins competition to build Royal Victoria Dock 'floating village'

Mayor of London Boris Johnson announced plans to transform the 15 acre site in February 2013 and launched his Royal Docks Ideas Competition in November.

CIG's winning submission proposes a 100% floating development, with residential and non-residential units and walkways anchored using piles within the dock. The scheme proposes 50 homes with concrete foundations, with a custom build approach to each home. The homes will be built off-site, with design input from their prospective occupiers, and transported to the site by water.

An initial 25,000 square feet of non-residential floorspace is proposed. Shops, cafes, restaurants, leisure and office space, an events space, a market square and a blue water square all feature in the submission. CIG consulted Dutch experts in floating structures with experience from similar schemes in northern Europe to help with the design of the submission.

"This site has the potential to become one of the most sought after addresses in the capital while breathing new life back into London's waterways," said the mayor in a statement. "Carillion Igloo Genesis' scheme will create a unique mixed use development providing a range of commercial activities within a high quality water environment for Londoners and visitors, creating jobs and raising the profile of London's Royal Docks."

"Living in a floating home you've helped to design is a dream lots of us have," said CIG director Chris Brown. "By combining the floating home experience of our Dutch collaborators with our custom built business we hope to make these dreams come true in Royal Victoria Dock for a few lucky Londoners. East London's place on the tourist trail is growing fast. It's about to be joined by Europe's largest floating village, with floating markets, creative workspace, events and watersports."

CIG is expected to submit a planning application for the development to Newham Council in spring 2015.