The proposed new building is split up into two sections, the first section of the building adjacent to the site entrance is ground bearing and is only raised up from the finished ground level by 500 mm. In this section of the building there are 2 floors of commercial office space. Large glazed openings with windows slightly bigger than the apartments else were define this as a different use, it also has its own entrance to the west elevation with independent stair core for vertical access. Above this on the third floor are 3 apartments which have access to both cores and are fully accessible from the residential lift.
The second section of the building is the main apartment block and is lifted up in comparison to the first section above an under-croft area that contains 17 secure car parking spaces with lift access and stair access up to all floors and apartments. There is also a separate residential entrance into the building that accesses the main core of the building from which all apartments can be accessed.
To the southern elevations the apartments benefit from balconies which open up from the living spaces of the apartments. To the north elevations the apartments benefit from projecting zinc clad box windows that increase the floor area of the apartment but also allow a full height sliding door to be opened to the external environment acting like an internal balcony. These create good amenity spaces for each apartment.
The design of the main built form is 3 stories in height with the second main section raised slightly when compared to that of the first section containing the office accommodation. This creates interest and allows the 2 differing elements to express themselves. This main built form is finished in brickwork to match the surrounding context. The fourth floor is set well back from the west and south elevations of the building and reduces the scale of the building with shallow pitch roofs picking up on the design of the existing Block a, B C & D residential conversion. The fourth floor is clad in zinc and will not be as overbearing as a full fourth floor due to the step back when viewed from within the site and from London Road.
We view the proposed design of the building as a considered addition to the build form in the area that picks up on the existing materiality and form of the surrounding context and typography but also the form and roof profile of the surrounding build form. It is recognized that the scale is greater than currently built in the immediate area but when viewed in the context of the existing residential building to the north it will not over bear this and should not be greater in height. The proposed design will add significantly to the quality of build form in the area and will add to the character of the area.
The 3D images illustrate the Design of the building in the best possible manner.