A new five storey mixed use development replaced the college’s existing building. Ground to fourth floor provides a higher education college, with open plan learning areas and a feature central staircase. The fifth floor provided four residential flats, accessed via a private stair and lift core.
The new building filled the plan area of the site leading to a constrained construction methodology. The building incorporates a new basement for plant, built up to the boundary line.
The façade is formed from reconstituted stone vertical and horizontal fins providing deep reveals over a terracotta cladding tile and large windows.
We joined the design team after Planning submission to provide a Stage 3 tender design. We explored structural solutions to fit within the fixed layouts and massing, with a long span in-situ concrete frame being the favoured option.
The opportunity for sustainable urban drainage was limited, with green roofs being incorporated on the various terraces available as the building steps back and a shallow attenuation tank under the footprint of the building. Unusually, flood compensation was required in the form of a void under the building.
Other constraints included Thames Water sewers running along the rear boundary which need a Build Over Agreement as well as proposed and existing trees.
Image Credit: Jestico & Whiles
