- Location:
- London
- Services:
- Budget:
- £18m circa
- Client:
- CKC Properties Ltd
- Size:
- 53,772 m2 GIA
- Sector:
- Residential - Student
Interiors
The project presented maber with a significant challenge to unlock an existing industrial brownfield urban site that was set in an attractive open park setting. It involved the demolition of existing buildings adjacent to a Grade II listed Buddhist Chapel.
The completed scheme provides high quality purpose built accommodation comprising 185 studio bedrooms, to serve six universities within the local vicinity and benefits from close public transport links.
The design priority was maintaining an appropriate scale that complements and improves the surrounding street scene and provides an active street frontage, while also respecting the listed buildings in the area and adjacent Buddhist Chapel. It contributes a new characteristic to the existing eclectic mix of architectural styles by using high quality design and materials.
The accommodation has been designed to be highly flexible, with 5% of the studios being wheelchair accessible and a further 10% easily adaptable to wheelchair-accessible studios.
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Level access into the new buildings is provided at ground floor level and all entrance doors/lobbies have wheelchair access with appropriate control/access arrangements. An accessible WC is provided on the ground floor level as well as two disabled accessible lifts to the upper floors.
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The building delivers a sustainable site solution that is energy-efficient in operation, aligning with the principles of environmental responsibility. Energy-efficient building materials are used with high levels of insulation, along with low water consumption, low-energy lighting and green roofs. Renewable energy generation through photovoltaic panels and the use of a combined heat and power system helps the scheme to achieve BREEAM Excellent. The design provides natural daylight into the studios whilst being respectful of privacy.
The landscape design provides a seamless, aesthetically pleasing connection between the building and the urban texture of Spa Rd. Pavements, plant materials, and site furnishings accentuate architectural features and frame out the entrance of the building while positively contributing to the life of the street. Located opposite Bermondsey Spa Gardens, mature trees line both sides of Spa Road, partially screening the buildings along Spa Road from the view within the park. The high quality scheme has replaced an unattractive industrial building with a design sympathetic and respectful of its surroundings that contributes to the successful ongoing regeneration of the area.
