Bermondsey Spa is a large-scale regeneration scheme that is transforming one of south London’s most deprived areas, weaving high density, mixed tenure homes into the urban fabric. Affordable housing provider the Hyde Group has worked with Southwark Council and architect Levitt Bernstein to provide 489 homes to date, and more are in the pipeline in what is a major transformation for a neglected quarter of the capital. The completed homes are in a series of buildings: St James Square comprising 211 apartments in two courtyard blocks; Eyot Heights comprising 114 homes plus a health centre; the Bolanachi Building providing 138 homes; and Davoll Court, a scheme of 26 shared ownership homes adjacent to a new youth centre. St James Square allows reinstatement of an existing street, and incorporates active frontages with street level doors into family homes that have private front gardens and terraces. Living spaces are at first floor level in the internal courtyards. This arrangement successfully integrates a high proportion of family homes at ground level with generous private amenity space. The blocks have a robust, high quality brick plinth at ground level with white render above. Timber panels break up the scale of the building. Eyot Heights follows the path of Old Jamaica Road and has rainscreen cladding, varying in shade from one end of the block to the other to emphasise the curve of the elevation. The scheme is designed to a ‘very good’ standard under the EcoHomes environmental measure, and is linked to a community heating scheme. The Bolanachi Building provides a retreat in the city. It features a light, naturally ventilated atrium, a landscaped podium courtyard with mature trees growing through it, and dual aspect homes with gardens, terraces or balconies. There is more to come on the project. The next phase involves the delivery of 319 mixed tenure homes.
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