Three core design principles provided a starting point for developing this compact site for a range of uses. The courtyard, combining living and working and daylighting on a site which has very close proximity to it’s neighbours.
Courtyard
The central landscaped courtyard provides amenity and encourages a strong sense of community between the existing/future residents. The courtyard also gives the opportunity to orientate windows away from neighbours to provide multiple aspect, day-lit spaces and introduce greenery to the site. This space offers a tranquil connection to nature, away from Downs Road.
Stacking
Workspace is provided in the new flexible, self-contained units to the rear of the site, mirroring the workspace in the refurbished basement of the existing building. This functions as a flexible business model, with three workspaces which can be let individually or as one.
A single apartment is stacked above the workspace, bridging across to provide a covered entrance to the workspaces below.
Skylights
Utilising top-lit spaces was key to providing good daylighting to the residential space, whilst ensuring privacy.