The UK continues to inspire some of the most exciting projects in the domestic sector. Nowhere is this truer than in terms of residential architecture in London. The city has a unique set of challenges and every project needs to overcome them to deliver the right value. The setting and situation creates some really incredible designs.

The current climate is so exciting it is attracting architects from all around the world. Herzog & de Meuron joined this list recently with their very first residential project, One Park Drive. The 58 storey tower in Canary Wharf features 483 residences complete with balconies, terraces, and large bay windows. The design is incredible.

The thing that really stands out about One Park Drive is that there are three different typologies of homes to choose from. In most blocks the apartments are along similar lines, creating uniformity. This is the opposite though, resulting in remarkably different floor plans and a complex arrangement. There are layers upon layers and the facade features both inset and extending elements.

The design is said to be inspired by iconic housing estates across the capital, including the Barbican, the Brunswick, and Alexandra Road. The tower is part of phase one of a large project for Canary Wharf that will see thousands of new homes created. It will be one of the very last redevelopments of a docklands site.

One Park Drive is expected to be completed in 2018 and residents will start moving in as part of an initial phase of an inhabitation plan. Prior to this, sales are expected to open in 2017. With such a prestigious name behind the project and an ideal location, interest could be very high.

At Coffey Architects we will be interested to see the designs that other firms come up with for the Canary Wharf site. One Park Drive is highly visual so we expect it to have an impact on the residential architecture in this part of London. It could even have a wider impact, inspiring designs for other locations too.