Sedgwick Street was a location that had no great
sense of place. Stephen Davy Peter Smith
Architects' brief for this scheme was therefore to
create a building that established identity. The result is
this landmark block of 55 affordable apartments, plus
1,188sq m of B1 commercial space.
The client was initially Countryview Properties, but they
sold part of their interest to Servite Houses. The
scheme was built by Countryside Properties.
The block is clad predominantly in smooth blue
engineering brick, the material being chosen for its
colour, precision and lack of maintenance. The bricks
carry no structural load, which is reflected in the stack
bonding. Vertical circulation in the tower is articulated
by the use of colourful render, while timber cladding
forms a soft backdrop to terraces and roof gardens.
The homes range from one bedroom to four
bedroom units. Almost all of the homes have private
balconies, and they share landscaped communal
terraces at first and ninth floor levels. Most homes
benefit from a double aspect.
The scheme achieved a rating of very good, under
the Ecohomes environmental assessment method.
Environmental features include a brown roof, solar
water heaters and rainwater harvesting to water the
terrace planting. The building is complemented by
greater public realm and new footpaths. The public
space matches the architecture in quality and
incorporates trees and high quality hard surfaces. |
