Overview: Corbett Close is a collection of 11 affordable family homes on the edge of the Green Belt, proposed as part of a trio of developments along Fairchildes Avenue. Our four-storey pavilion orientates itself to views of both the stunning natural setting, and the new green corridor linking the three development sites. A collective vision links our series of proposals, stitching together the street offering a striking, contemporary typology that subtly references the existing built vernacular of New Addington Croydon. Community Impact & Value: An efficient building footprint maximises the landscaping and amenity for the benefit of the residents and the existing local community. Breaking centrally, the volume expresses the position of the stairwell, visually lifting the building. The core is carved, creating space for an open stairwell introducing light from multiple orientations giving a sense of expansiveness with layered views between interconnected volumes. Technical Insights & Challenges: A stepped brick profile creates interest and texture that rises up the building and wraps around to emphasise a corner entrance. The refined material palette includes a brick selection that compliments those of the adjacent sites. These materials origionate from a local quarry that operates the only hand fired kiln in the UK, helping to reduce the carbon footprint of the development and grounding the textured articulation. Key Achievements: Our landscape strategy implements sustainable drainage and planting of new indigenous species with a view to improving local biodiversity and animal habitats. The sensitivity to the edge of greenbelt setting allows these additions to positively contribute to the activity along the green corridor. Improving access routes and reactivating the bridleway bordering the site promotes connectivity and community access. CORBETT CLOSE Client: Brick By Brick Ltd Value: Confidential Status: Planning Overview: Corbett Close is a collection of 11 affordable family homes on the edge of the Green Belt, proposed as part of a trio of developments along Fairchildes Avenue. Our four-storey pavilion orientates itself to views of both the stunning natural setting, and the new green corridor linking the three development sites. A collective vision links our series of proposals, stitching together the street offering a striking, contemporary typology that subtly references the existing built vernacular of New Addington Croydon. Community Impact & Value: An efficient building footprint maximises the landscaping and amenity for the benefit of the residents and the existing local community. Breaking centrally, the volume expresses the position of the stairwell, visually lifting the building. The core is carved, creating space for an open stairwell introducing light from multiple orientations giving a sense of expansiveness with layered views between interconnected volumes. Technical Insights & Challenges: A stepped brick profile creates interest and texture that rises up the building and wraps around to emphasise a corner entrance. The refined material palette includes a brick selection that compliments those of the adjacent sites. These materials origionate from a local quarry that operates the only hand fired kiln in the UK, helping to reduce the carbon footprint of the development and grounding the textured articulation. Key Achievements: Our landscape strategy implements sustainable drainage and planting of new indigenous species with a view to improving local biodiversity and animal habitats. The sensitivity to the edge of greenbelt setting allows these additions to positively contribute to the activity along the green corridor. Improving access routes and reactivating the bridleway bordering the site promotes connectivity and community access.

Overview: Our mixed-tenure scheme provides 19 terrace houses forming part of a wider three-site development of over 100 much needed family homes. These are bolstered by supporting new uses including a sports centre, vibrant cafe, local business units and vital healthcare services. The masterplan established new streets responding to the mansion block and community centre completed during Phase 1. Community Impact & Value: Driving our clients’ ambitions for creating high quality social housing, this detailed design and construction phase focuses on three and four-bedroom family homes. At the heart of the interlinked schemes are the two new Community Centres and office for Emmaus, a charity providing job opportunities and training for the homeless and vulnerable members of society. Technical Insights & Challenges: Slimline coping profiles distinguish different housing types while bringing an element of playfulness referencing the historic Oxford skyline. The distinctive slate roofs sit above calm, rhythmic elevation of textured brick and punched apertures. The slatted timber volume creates a hard-working porch that conceals storage, providing privacy and a sense of arrival. Importantly, it also adds a delicate layering to the facades at eye level, lending warmth and homeliness. Modern, modular, hybrid SIPs construction facilitated an increased speed in delivery and reduction of on-site waste. Our sustainability principles also informed our landscape strategy. New opportunities for active travel are incorporated alongside a series of new ponds forming part of a wider network of Sustainable Urban Drainage with increasing biodiversity. Key Achievements: The scheme is used as a benchmark for the JV partner Oxford City Council, in delivering contextual high quality new social housing. The rehousing of families on the housing waiting list saw over 600 applicants per property, balancing need with a desire to live in well planned and beautiful affordable building. DORA CARR CLOSE Client: Greensquare Value: 3 million Status: Completed - Awards: Oxford Preservation Trust Award 2019 New Building - Winner Civic Trust Award 2019 - Nomination Housing Design Awards 2019- Nomination RIBA Regional (South) Award - Nomination Overview: Our mixed-tenure scheme provides 19 terrace houses forming part of a wider three-site development of over 100 much needed family homes. These are bolstered by supporting new uses including a sports centre, vibrant cafe, local business units and vital healthcare services. The masterplan established new streets responding to the mansion block and community centre completed during Phase 1. Community Impact & Value: Driving our clients’ ambitions for creating high quality social housing, this detailed design and construction phase focuses on three and four-bedroom family homes. At the heart of the interlinked schemes are the two new Community Centres and office for Emmaus, a charity providing job opportunities and training for the homeless and vulnerable members of society. Technical Insights & Challenges: Slimline coping profiles distinguish different housing types while bringing an element of playfulness referencing the historic Oxford skyline. The distinctive slate roofs sit above calm, rhythmic elevation of textured brick and punched apertures. The slatted timber volume creates a hard-working porch that conceals storage, providing privacy and a sense of arrival. Importantly, it also adds a delicate layering to the facades at eye level, lending warmth and homeliness. Modern, modular, hybrid SIPs construction facilitated an increased speed in delivery and reduction of on-site waste. Our sustainability principles also informed our landscape strategy. New opportunities for active travel are incorporated alongside a series of new ponds forming part of a wider network of Sustainable Urban Drainage with increasing biodiversity. Key Achievements: The scheme is used as a benchmark for the JV partner Oxford City Council, in delivering contextual high quality new social housing. The rehousing of families on the housing waiting list saw over 600 applicants per property, balancing need with a desire to live in well planned and beautiful affordable building.

Overview: The full 24,000 sqft gallery refurbishment and system upgrade saw the 8-week ‘dark period’ between scheduled shows fully utilised. Our directly appointed multi-disciplinary team delivered within this Grade II listed building, ahead of the widely acclaimed David Chipperfield’s Lee Krasner retrospective opening. Community Impact & Value: The project holistically reviewed the original gallery fabric and mechanical services. Innovatively reviving key design aspects created within the retained shell. A 21st century world leading gallery space formed, now able to host acclaimed international exhibitions, showing the world’s highest value and valued artworks. Technical Insights & Challenges: Addressing accessibility was critical. Newly located, increased lift capacity and navigation routes that align with the main staircase distribution to the upper Level 4 gallery ensure additional mobility and visibility requirements are inclusive. Display walls, lighting and flooring were also creatively adjusted throughout the space, enhancing the visual experience and wayfinding for all. Centrally located in the wider listed arts centre and residential Barbican Estate, a sensitive approach to both re-use and enhancement of the existing fabric was proposed to City of London Planners and Conservation Officers. As conservation architects, previously delivering the new Beech Street Cinemas at Allford Hall Monaghan Morris, we understood the key critical approach needed to work within the statutory approval processes. Intentional use was made of existing fabric for a full system upgrade from pneumatic controls to an energy efficient electrical control system along with full AHU equipment. Key Achievements: Due to the uniquely challenging development window, we provided an extremely agile and flexible service. Clear identification of tasks and outputs generated key principles and marker stage commissioning, compressing 3 months of critical work into the short programme. BARBICAN ART GALLERY Client: Barbican Centre Value: 650K Status: Completed - Awards: NLA Retrofit Award Conservation and Retrofit Category - Nomination Overview: The full 24,000 sqft gallery refurbishment and system upgrade saw the 8-week ‘dark period’ between scheduled shows fully utilised. Our directly appointed multi-disciplinary team delivered within this Grade II listed building, ahead of the widely acclaimed David Chipperfield’s Lee Krasner retrospective opening. Community Impact & Value: The project holistically reviewed the original gallery fabric and mechanical services. Innovatively reviving key design aspects created within the retained shell. A 21st century world leading gallery space formed, now able to host acclaimed international exhibitions, showing the world’s highest value and valued artworks. Technical Insights & Challenges: Addressing accessibility was critical. Newly located, increased lift capacity and navigation routes that align with the main staircase distribution to the upper Level 4 gallery ensure additional mobility and visibility requirements are inclusive. Display walls, lighting and flooring were also creatively adjusted throughout the space, enhancing the visual experience and wayfinding for all. Centrally located in the wider listed arts centre and residential Barbican Estate, a sensitive approach to both re-use and enhancement of the existing fabric was proposed to City of London Planners and Conservation Officers. As conservation architects, previously delivering the new Beech Street Cinemas at Allford Hall Monaghan Morris, we understood the key critical approach needed to work within the statutory approval processes. Intentional use was made of existing fabric for a full system upgrade from pneumatic controls to an energy efficient electrical control system along with full AHU equipment. Key Achievements: Due to the uniquely challenging development window, we provided an extremely agile and flexible service. Clear identification of tasks and outputs generated key principles and marker stage commissioning, compressing 3 months of critical work into the short programme.

The facade studies explore a dialogue between brickwork and metal mesh panels, drawing inspiration from the site’s past life as a metalworks pressing factory. Layers of detail emerge through brick rustication, expressed with soldier courses, corduroy textures, and chevron shadowing, bringing depth and tactility to the elevations. Paired with the lighter expression of perforated metal, the palette speaks to both permanence and precision: grounding the building in its industrial heritage while introducing a contemporary edge to student living in Exeter. Back to News

Design developing in Exeter as the emerging facades draw on Exeter’s industrial heritage, expressed through tones and textures that emphasise depth, horizontality, and rhythm. A balance of brickwork and rustication provides weight and permanence, while critical window proportions punctuate the elevations with clarity and consistency. These studies explore how the scheme can sit confidently within its context, carrying forward the site’s history while setting a contemporary architectural language for student living. Back to News

Always a pleasure to work with the Barbican - this time auditing our main gallery for future exhibitions. Supporting a seamless curation process as artists shape not only their work, but the story it tells within the space Back to News