Witzer’s Post

Quality #residential #builtenvironment projects have a lasting impact on their communities. Here are three excellent examples of inspirational housing projects in Newcastle Upon Tyne. PlaceChangers - digital planning tools

HOW TO GIVE YOUR LISTED HOME AN ECO-FRIENDLY MAKEOVER Retrofitting heritage houses to improve energy efficiency is notoriously tricky – but a well thought-out design combined with the latest building tech can reduce bills and make a period property snug and sustainable

Urban Design, like construction or engineering, is something that can be done well or badly, according to a broad best practice. Part of learning what works and what doesn't is looking at where it has been done well in the past. Check out our latest insights blog post on exemplar neighbourhoods in the north east.

Boyer's London office has secured planning permission at appeal on behalf of Ganco Assets for 55 Built to Rent (BTR) units on Hounslow High Street. The site at 147-161 Hounslow High Street was formerly occupied by M&S, but had since been subdivided into three retail units at ground floor, with the upper floors remaining vacant. The proposals will regenerate the site through the partial demolition of the existing building, retention of the three retail units at ground floor and redevelopment above to create a building rising to 6 storeys. This will provide 55 flats comprising a mix of 5 x studios, 26 x 1 beds, 16 x 2 beds and 8 x 3 beds, of which 5% will be affordable. There will be generous amenity spaces provided on site including private balconies for all units, as well as two courtyards, playspace, and two roof terraces. The appeal was predicated on viability and mix. During the course of the appeal the viability element was resolved with the Council, leaving the suitability of the mix to be determined by the Planning Inspectorate. Whilst the mix did not align with the Council’s requirements due to the higher proportion of smaller units, the Inspector determined that the sustainable location of the site within the town centre and the nature of the BTR development meant that the Council’s mix requirements could be applied flexibility. The considerable benefits of the scheme, including the regeneration of the site through the high-quality design, the delivery of homes including affordable housing, and the use of previously developed land, all weighed in favour of approving the development. Alice Moore, Associate Director in Boyer’s London office said, “We are delighted to have achieved planning consent for this scheme, which will maintain retail use on Hounslow High Street while also providing much-needed housing and benefiting the vibrancy of the local area.” In achieving planning success, Boyer worked alongside Formation Architects (architecture), ULL Property (viability consultants), Lustre (air quality, drainage and noise), Heritage Collective (archaeology), Landscape Partnership (landscape), SJA Trees (arboriculture), Avison Young (daylight and sunlight), Odyssey (transport), CPW (energy), Thorncliffe (PR), Fire Risk Solutions (fire) and Constructive Evaluation Limited (contamination).  Images: Haze

Metropolis has been featured in Architecture Today, where Ben Cross from General Projects reviews what the market for retrofit is like at the moment. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/erBdb6R7 B&K Structures delivered the CLT floor decks and roof, CLT upstands and structural steelwork elements for #Metropolis, on behalf of ISG. “Metropolis is retrofit at its most radical. This is a building that, seven years ago, would have been one of the 50,000 that are demolished every year to make way for a shiny new build – out with the old, in with the new. So the brief was simple. Reset the standard for what a refurbishment can achieve and deliver. Fast-forward over half a decade and we are only six months away from completion of one of the highest performing, amenity-rich and most sustainable developments in London. All rekindled from a Richard Seifert mid-century classic that was commissioned originally for Woolworths as their UK headquarters. It’s difficult to distil what is truly special about this building. We’ve created market-leading amenity throughout the whole building, given every floor a private garden, extended the building by 50 per cent using mass timber, planted over 4,000 trees, saved 4,240 tonnes of carbon through building re-use, achieved BREEAM Outstanding, removed all fossil fuels from our energy supply and we were the first building in London to achieve AirRated Platinum. It really is a building of superlatives. But if you were to say one thing about it, I would hope it is proof that radically reinventing an existing building is not only better for the planet, but delivers better product too.” Find out more about our work in the #Refurbishment and #Retrofit sector here: www.bkstructures.co.uk Henderson Park Capital Partners and General Projects alongside Heyne Tillett Steel, Stora Enso and Allford Hall Monaghan Morris. #construction #sustainability #sustainableconstruction #timberconstruction #masstimber #engineeredtimber #offsitesolutions #netzero #carbon #jobs #buildingdesign #builtenvironment #timber #masstimberconstruction #zerocarbonfuture #timberbuilding #masswoodbuilding #engineeredtimber #offsiteconstruction #timberconstruction #construction #sustainable #building B&K Hybrid Solutions

Secret to converting up to 670,000 redundant historic buildings into homes revealed. Historic England guidance sets out key design considerations when transforming heritage properties into residential in bid to tackle the housing crisis. https://lnkd.in/eNKCZjMC #Housing #Planning

Heritage building, social good Sometimes, a refurbishment job isn’t just about installing a new roof – it’s about preserving a piece of history. That was the case for Mid Cornwall Roofing, working in conjunction with Coastline Housing, when it was called on to renovate a valuable remnant of the region’s industrial history. The Public Rooms in Camborne was once the Holman Brothers’ headquarters – and when it suffered roof failure, urgent action was required. But sitting within the Trevu Road UNESCO World Heritage Site, the project presented a unique set of challenges. It required intense focus, meticulous attention to detail, and heavy involvement from organisations like English Heritage – but together, the building wasn’t just saved from further deterioration, but transformed into a community asset with real social benefit. The site was repurposed to provide affordable rental accommodation specifically designed for people over 50. But the apartments go beyond basic housing – they offer personalised care plans for residents who might need additional support and cater to those in receipt of higher-level disability allowance. To bring this noble vision to life, the building’s failing original roof needed replacing with something that fitted aesthetically, but that also offered outstanding longevity and overall performance. That’s why the stakeholders opted for SSQ’s Riverstone phyllite. But what is phyllite – and why was it the perfect fit for this project? Fantastic phyllite Geologically similar to indigenous Cornish slate, Riverstone phyllite is a metamorphic rock formed through extreme heat and pressure. This natural process gives Riverstone exceptional strength and resilience, making it highly resistant to cracking, chipping, and erosion. Unlike traditional slate, Riverstone boasts a very low water absorption rate, ensuring excellent weatherproofing properties. This was crucial for The Public Rooms project, considering the harsh Cornish climate with its frequent wind and rain. SSQ even backs their Riverstone product with an impressive 100-year guarantee, providing long-lasting peace of mind. Riverstone – the perfect solution Aesthetics played a major role in the selection of the roofing material. The Public Rooms' historical significance demanded a replacement roof that would seamlessly blend with the existing architecture. Riverstone phyllite offered the perfect solution. Unlike some modern roofing materials that can appear out of place on historic buildings, Riverstone's natural beauty complements the character of The Public Rooms. Its subtle variations in colour and unique "phyllitic sheen" – a subtle lustre that catches the light – add a touch of elegance and sophistication, while ensuring the new roof respected the building's heritage. Get in touch to find out more [email protected] / 02089617725

752 New Apartments! Massive Development Proposed for Breakfast Creek. Churchill Development Group has submitted plans for a major redevelopment at 166 Breakfast Creek Road, Newstead. Designed by MAS - Architecture Studio, the ambitious project, known as 'Breakfast Creek Quarter,' will feature three residential towers of 28, 26, and 23 storeys. The development aims to add 752 new apartments to the area, offering a mix of studio, 1, 2, and 3-bedroom units. The project also includes a vibrant mix of retail and commercial spaces on the ground and podium levels, enhancing the local community atmosphere. Key features of the design include expansive private balconies, communal recreational areas, and extensive landscaping. A ground-level cross-block link, activated by numerous retail tenancies, will further enhance pedestrian connectivity, creating a walkable and lively neighbourhood. The development's focus on sustainability is evident with its significant landscaping, dual recycling and general waste chutes, rainwater tanks for irrigation, and opportunities for solar capture. This project aligns with Brisbane's Sustainable Growth Strategy, supporting increased housing supply and diversity. This project not only promises to elevate residential living in Newstead but also supports Brisbane's growth by providing much-needed inner-city housing options. Stay tuned for more updates as Churchill Development Group and MAS - Architecture Studio bring their exciting vision to life! Want to know more details like the number of car parks or sustainability features? Head over to the article for the full story in the comments section. #BuildingTalks #BreakfastCreekQuarter #BrisbaneProperty

Heritage building, social good Sometimes, a refurbishment job isn’t just about installing a new roof – it’s about preserving a piece of history. That was the case for Mid Cornwall Roofing, working in conjunction with Coastline Housing, when it was called on to renovate a valuable remnant of the region’s industrial history. The Public Rooms in Camborne was once the Holman Brothers’ headquarters – and when it suffered roof failure, urgent action was required. But sitting within the Trevu Road UNESCO World Heritage Site, the project presented a unique set of challenges. It required intense focus, meticulous attention to detail, and heavy involvement from organisations like English Heritage – but together, the building wasn’t just saved from further deterioration, but transformed into a community asset with real social benefit. The site was repurposed to provide affordable rental accommodation specifically designed for people over 50. But the apartments go beyond basic housing – they offer personalised care plans for residents who might need additional support and cater to those in receipt of higher-level disability allowance. To bring this noble vision to life, the building’s failing original roof needed replacing with something that fitted aesthetically, but that also offered outstanding longevity and overall performance. That’s why the stakeholders opted for SSQ’s Riverstone phyllite. But what is phyllite – and why was it the perfect fit for this project? Fantastic phyllite Geologically similar to indigenous Cornish slate, Riverstone phyllite is a metamorphic rock formed through extreme heat and pressure. This natural process gives Riverstone exceptional strength and resilience, making it highly resistant to cracking, chipping, and erosion. Unlike traditional slate, Riverstone boasts a very low water absorption rate, ensuring excellent weatherproofing properties. This was crucial for The Public Rooms project, considering the harsh Cornish climate with its frequent wind and rain. SSQ even backs their Riverstone product with an impressive 100-year guarantee, providing long-lasting peace of mind. Riverstone – the perfect solution Aesthetics played a major role in the selection of the roofing material. The Public Rooms' historical significance demanded a replacement roof that would seamlessly blend with the existing architecture. Riverstone phyllite offered the perfect solution. Unlike some modern roofing materials that can appear out of place on historic buildings, Riverstone's natural beauty complements the character of The Public Rooms. Its subtle variations in colour and unique "phyllitic sheen" – a subtle lustre that catches the light – add a touch of elegance and sophistication, while ensuring the new roof respected the building's heritage. Get in touch to find out more [email protected] / 02089617725

Media release 9 April 2024   Roa welcomes QLDC resource consent approval for Wanaka’s Aspiring House   Wanaka property investment company, Roa, has received resource consent approval from the Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) for its proposed landmark commercial building on the corner of Sir Tim Wallis Drive and Deering Street in the Three Parks development.   Designed by renowned architectural firm Warren and Mahoney, the four-storey mixed use commercial building will have street level retail and upper-level office space. The QLDC urban design assessment described the building’s design as aesthetically pleasing, well-articulated, and aligned with design guidelines.   The assessment noted the building exceeds the 12-metre maximum building height for Wanaka under the Proposed District Plan, however, it considers non-compliance is justified through careful design, saying:   “Various forms and materials on each level reduce bulk, minimizing dominance effects. Strategic glazing on upper levels lightens visual impact, and as a corner site, the taller building integrates well with the surroundings.   “The additional height not only aids in easy location, but also contributes to the development’s status as a key landmark, providing visual interest and enriching the overall character of the environment.”[1]   Roa CEO Mike Saegers believes approval for Aspiring House’s 19.5 metre building height is an important step forward for the development of internationally benchmarked green commercial buildings in Wanaka, saying the additional height enables projects employing mass timber and other forms of carbon conscious construction methodologies to be commercially feasible, given Wanaka’s climatic and seismic building design requirements.   “We have ambitious plans for our healthcare district at Three Parks, using the same sustainable construction methodologies and similar building heights. Roa’s focus is to make Wanaka a global destination for sustainable development. This decision is an important step forward for Roa and the Wanaka community, as it clarifies the QLDC’s appetite for developments with these parameters.”   ENDS [1] Urban Design Assessment – 03 Building height and roof form