DB3 Residential Profile

About DB3

Founded in 1883, DB3 Group is an award-winning, dynamic practice consisting of DB3 Architecture & Design, DB3 Building Services Engineering, DB3 Net Zero, DB3 Professional Services, Formation 3D and Home & Maker.

DB3 Group has seven studios across the UK including in Leeds, London, Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow, Cardiff and Aberystwyth, so we are never too far away from your project. Renowned for our quality design and technical delivery, we have long standing relationships with some of the biggest global brands across private and public market sectors.

From architectural vision to the completed build, we provide multi-disciplinary expertise aimed at meeting the diverse needs of our client base. We embrace the latest technology, including Building

Information Modelling (BIM), to assist in our process and operations for design, visualisation, design team co-ordination and more.

We maintain a focus on not only delivering the project on time, with exceptional quality and within cost, but also in ensuring long term value is designed into facilities to ensure that they are easy and safe to operate, sustainable, minimise energy use and are cost effective to maintain.

Our dedicated team of experienced Architects, Project Managers, Building Services Engineers, Interior Designers and Surveyors provide a quality service regardless of project value, size or complexity, to deliver the best for our clients. Working collaboratively, we aspire to make this an enjoyable process and build relationships which result in us returning to work for the same clients on future projects.

Personal Spaces for the World you Live in

DB3’s work in the residential and living space sectors is diverse and we are well experienced in the development of all types of schemes, from single dwellings to high volume multi-unit developments.

Our key goal is to complete Residential schemes which exceed expectations, are delightful to use and operate and that are simple and cost effective to build, run and maintain. Our extensive portfolio of residential projects includes Private Market Housing, Social Housing, Retirement Living, Converting/Refurbishment of existing and listed buildings, Student Accommodation and Hotels.

Our depth of experience delivering both Social and Private Market solutions help organisations with all aspects of the full project life cycle, including design and development through construction to maintenance and operation.

We are able to offer the following professional services:

Lead Design Consultant

Architectural & Masterplanning design

Leading strategic landscaping and public realm design

Management

Technical Advisor, Quality Monitoring Architect, Employment Agent

Principal Designer & CDM Services

Access Consultancy and Audits.

As an ISO14001:2015 accredited company, low carbon, sustainable and energy efficient design is a central element at the heart of our processes. We understand the need to work to a budget and work alongside your QS team to ensure that budget is understood and tested at various stages of the design. At the same time adopting a whole life costing approach when considering choices. This is particularly important given the requirement to consider (and implement) best practice with regards to carbon reduction and the sustainability of the scheme.

We develop designs along the lines of a fabric first approach to CO2 reduction and collaborate with M&E engineers to develop the best solution/s for heating, ventilation etc. We particularly focus on the need for robust detailing together with low carbon technologies. Options can be considered to understand capital costs versus sustainable onsite energy production to create ‘value’. The use of modelling techniques can assist this process.

Culver Centre Housing

Location: South Ockendon

Expertise Area: Architecture

DB3 are appointed for RIBA Stage 1 to 4 as architects and masterplanners (including strategic landscape design), to obtain planning permission for a new residential development scheme. The site would consist of 173 dwellings (65% Private Sale and 35% Affordable Housing including wheelchair accessible units), with associated public open space, child play areas, car and cycle parking.

New infrastructure in the form of new access roads, routes and footpaths, also form part of the design proposals.

The project is modelled in 3D using Autodesk Revit.

The site is located in South Ockendon, Thurrock, with approximately 4.5 hectares in total. The western half is a previously developed brownfield plot and the eastern half is an extant area of Public Open Space. The site is located in a predominately residential area of 2 to 3 storey dwellings, with several local schools in close proximity.

ROYAL TROON

Crosbie Tower

Location: Troon, Scotland

Expertise Area: Architecture

Crosbie Towers on South Beach in Troon, Ayrshire is not a building you would walk past without a second glance. A gorgeous late-Victorian Italianate villa, topped off by an imperious square tower, has been extended and revamped by the addition of a 21st Century design. As a result the scheme has become one of the most iconic renovation projects in Scotland.

The development had an audience of millions as Troon played host to the 2016 Open Golf Championship.

Buyers delivered their verdict on the quality of the project by snapping up all but one of the apartments, without a single advertisement appearing.

Runnymede Campus

Location: Egham, Surrey

Expertise Area: Principal Designer

DB3 acted as Architect for Bugler under a Design and Build Contract. We also fulfilled the Principal Designer role under the CDM Regulations 2015.

The site forms part of a wider development of the Runnymede Campus, which was formerly owned by Brunel University.

The 36 houses and apartments in a tenure mix comprising:

• 1 and 2 bedroom flats

• 2 bedroom bungalows

• 2 bedroom cottages

• 3 and 4 bedroom family houses.

Frimley Residential

Location: Frimley, Surrey

Expertise Areas: Architecture

DB3 acted as Architect for Bugler Developments in respect of the development of a new residential scheme at Frimley, Surrey under a design and build contract.

The development comprises 10 luxurious converted apartments and houses in a beautiful locally listed Edwardian building along with 10 stylish, new family houses and 14 desirable new apartments within landscaped grounds.

The scheme occupies the site of the former Frimley Cottage Hospital, founded in 1908.

Constructed in the first decade of the twentieth century, the original red-brick hospital building still boasts an abundance of character and a wealth of period features.

Careful attention to detail was key for each property and this is very much in evidence at this outstanding new development.

HALAMAR

Chancery Lane

Location: London

Expertise Area: Architecture

A refurbishment and change of use of a group of listed buildings in London’s Chancery Lane, from office to residential, this project included the construction of two rooftop penthouse apartments, and 44 one, two and three bed luxury apartments.

Ground floor is restaurant and retail use, and the construction took place with two tenants trading on the ground floor throughout the works.

Access to the site was difficult, Chancery Lane being one way, and the buildings located mid terrace. The neighbouring buildings’ means of escape was through the building at 4th floor level and exiting to the street. This route had to be rerouted to accommodate the revised layout, but also had to be maintained both throughout the

works, but also in the finished building. The building project was designed having regard to environmental considerations and includes a number of innovations. A BREEAM domestic refurbishment assessment was carried out at RIBA Stage 3, and the finish project achieved an ‘Excellent’ rating. The project is an exemplar of sustainable housing refurbishment in a Central London location, with many sustainable features such as fabric thermal enhancement, and energy & water efficiency.

Great care was taken when constructing the new 5th floor, to match the existing mansard in every respect and all finishes were agreed with Westminster Historic Buildings Department.

Pitwood Development

Location: Tadworth

Completion date: 2020

Expertise Area: Architecture

DB3 acted as architect for a scheme comprising the demolition of a steel frame/concrete industrial building and the construction of: 3no one bedroom flats, 6no two bedroom flats, 8no two bedroom houses, 8no three bedroom houses, with associated parking, landscaping and access. The design strategy has developed utilising a traditional form of construction: Houses: brick/tiled and blockwork cavity walls; beam and block ground floors; timber joists

and steel beams to the first floors; and timber structure to the roof.

Flats: brick/tiled and blockwork cavity walls; concrete plank ground floors; concrete planks to the first and second floors; and timber structure to the roof. Bin / Bike store to be RC raft slab and timber construction to walls and roof and shall be clad in composite timber.

Design has been developed using Revit for Building Information Modelling.

Residential Apartments

Location: Lewisham, London

Expertise Area: Architecture

DB3 supported client Berkeley Homes in the development of proposals for a regeneration site located in Lewisham, South London.

Our scheme proposed a modern, high quality 12-storey new build development containing 200 apartments in a mix of one, two and three bedrooms.

A further 10,000ft² of office accommodation is also provided within the development, together with cycle parking.

BERKELEY HOMES

Inverness Terrace

Location: London

Expertise Area: Architecture

DB3 provided architectural services for this mixeduse development in West London. It encompassed high-end residential apartments with access to a landscaped podium and a new retail shell on ground and basement for Tesco.

The existing site was occupied by a Tesco Metro, only visible by its shop front on 138-142 Queensway at ground floor level. It extended into an area to the rear which extended all the way through to front Inverness Terrace.

The original building was unlisted but fell within the Queensway Conservation Area. On the

opposite side of Inverness Terrace is Hallfield School, a Grade II* listed building; to the west is Whiteleys, also a Grade II listed building.

The project involved the demolition of the warehouse and service yard including the boundary walls, and the stripping out of the retail shell fronting Queensway.

On the resultant site fronting Inverness Terrace a new four storey, concrete-framed building was erected to provide 20 new residential flats at first, second and third floors.

Anchor Cottages

Location: Blindley Heath, Surrey

Expertise Area: Architecture

DB3 acted as Architect from inception to completion, for the residential redevelopment of a site at Blindley Heath, Surrey.

The 45 new dwellings are a mix of residential types, based on both two storey and two and a half storey buildings, giving views over the nearby green spaces. The mix of dwellings comprises units for sale, units for rent and units for shared ownership, with units varying from 1 bed apartments up to three bedroom houses.

The design has taken influences from the surrounding area - seeking to integrate with

the style of neighbouring buildings, while still retaining its own place within the environment. Designed to complement the varied forms and materials of the area, materials include tiled roofs together with a variety of brick and rendered elevations and elements of tile hanging.

The scheme has been constructed in two phases, with phase one creating 22 houses. A second phase, providing 8 houses and 15 flats completed in early 2015.

Golden Square

Location: London

Expertise Areas: Architecture

Occupying a commanding corner position overlooking one of London’s rare garden squares,

37 Golden Square is a collection of 22 luxury residences crowned with a stunning one-of-a-kind penthouse.

Residents will enjoy a location in the heart of W1, where fine art, diplomatic quarters and new media meet.

37 Golden Square is a building that sits seamlessly

within the local architectural vernacular, with warm brick detailing, oversized windows and a pleasing sense of symmetry.

The square itself enjoys an illustrious heritage having been the centre for London’s woollen trade, an ambassadorial quarter and a base for renowned artists.

DB3 acted as architect for the construction phases of the project.

TRS Apartments

Location: London

Expertise Area: Architecture

DB3 was appointed post planning to deliver this exciting conversion of a 1960’s office block into a luxury apartment block.

The project included complete refurbishment of all the floors plus a new build 5 storey block to the rear plus two levels of penthouse apartments.

A library is planned for the ground floor. The basement has been increased to accommodate parking.

All of the new elements were constructed offsite and MMC was used to create the facade and penthouses.

Bridgewater Wharf

Location: Salford, Manchester

Expertise Areas: Architecture

DB3 is currently providing architectural services for the detailed design of a major new development, Bridgewater Wharf, Salford.

Bridgewater Wharf is a new eight story residential development. The scheme will consist of circa 1,200 units across a phased programme.

Initial 376 residential apartments are development and will offer a range of studios, one/two/three bedroom apartments and town houses.

Residents will also have access to a private gym, cycle storage, communal lounge and on-site parking.

We have successfully retained and maintained the design philosophy of the concept architect, interpreting and delivering the detailed design in line with the original intent.

We have provide visualisation services, including the development of full VR internal video for sales and design development purposes.

Minerva Street

Location: Glasgow, Scotland

DB3 was appointed for this exciting 189 apartment development in the Finnieston area to the west of the city centre of Glasgow.

The development is in a great location with immediate adjacency of the Exhibition Rail Station and close proximity to the SSE Hydro, Clyde Auditorium and the SECC. The layout, configuration and aesthetic design of the proposals has been derived contextually from the physical and socio-cultural characteristics of the Glaswegian tenemental model. This model is widely held to be a design icon of international

renown and characterises the nature of inner urban housing in the City.

The site is significantly burdened by the presence of two underground rail tunnels which bisect the site in a north-west to south-east axis. One tunnel is live and one is dormant, although both are owned and maintained by Network Rail and both impose development exclusion zones which greatly impact the development potential of the site.

Mixed Use Development

Location: Hillingdon

Expertise Areas: Architecture

DB3 was approached by our client to act as Architect to secure planning permission of a major mixed use redevelopment on a site adjacent to Hillingdon Rail Station.

The site currently houses a public house which will be demolished to allow the construction of 110 apartments, a 92 bed hotel a 40,000ft² supermarket and associated parking. The deck level has been developed to accommodate the varying changes in level across the site to allow for acoustic screening from the road and nearby railway.

Seaham Regeneration

Location: Seaham, County Durham

Expertise Area: Architecture & Lead Consultant

DB3 is appointed as Architect and Lead Consultant by Kier Living for this major regeneration development in Seaham, County Durham.

We have been responsible for all architectural aspects of the development, including masterplanning, concept design, house types and detailed design.

The development consists of:

• 95 new homes at the Burnhall Drive site

• 45 affordable new homes on part of the Malvern Crescent site

• 290 homes on remainder of Malvern Crescent site and Station Road

• The development proposals include the provision of a total of 1.76 HA of public open space.

Court Bushes

Location: London

Expertise Area: Architecture

DB3 acted as Architect from project inception to handover on this new build scheme in Surrey.

The steeply sloping nature of the site and its numerous trees and potential special habitats posed a number of challenges to its development.

However, we successfully produced a scheme that converts these into opportunities to create a development of unique and individual character.

The scheme consists of four separate buildings providing a total of 54 one and two bedroom apartments with basement parking (54 spaces), cycle storage (54 spaces) and a new access drive.

The buildings replace eight simple family homes and represent the maximum development permissible on this site.

MCCARTHY STONE

Framework Agreement

Location: UK wide

Expertise Area: Architecture

McCarthy Stone are a major developer and provider of Retirement Living accommodation in the UK, providing solutions for Retirement Living (RL) and Assisted Living (AL).

DB3 were appointed through a framework agreement to provide architecture services for

the delivery of McCarthy Stone’s Retirement Living developments from inception through to completion.

The developments offer spacious, high-end apartments that have been designed exclusively for those over 55’s.

Bombadier Carriage Works

Location: Hexthorpe, South Yorkshire

Expertise Areas: Architecture & Prinicipal Designer

DB3 produced masterplan and design proposals for the regeneration of a major residential site at the former Bombardier site at Hexthorpe, Doncaster.

The principal movement network of this site was established at outline stage. The detail design DB3 is now proposing follows the principles already established. A number of constraints both on and off site including the location of the principal points of access from Flowitt Street and Eden Grove have informed the layout.

The existing pattern and grain of Hexthorpe has assisted in the detailed development of the site. Consequently, the layout of spaces, building blocks and pedestrian routes through the site are easily navigable and will form a place with its own distinctive character.

The riverside location offers great potential and has therefore been exploited to the full with properties overlooking the river and a new riverside walkway being provided.

The scheme was constrained by a number of on and off site factors including, amongst others, the location of the principal points of access from Flowitt Street and Eden Grove.

The location and recreational function of Eden Grove Sports Club also informed the design and layout of the site. The decision was taken that part of the site should be improved to facilitate and ensure continuation of its current use for sports and recreational activities.

Germany Beck

Location: York, North Yorkshire

Expertise Areas: Architecture & Principal Designer

DB3 acted as Architect and Principal Designer to create designs for this major 680 dwelling development in York.

Following receipt of outline planning (on appeal, by others) we have commenced detail design work. The site is considered ‘very sensitive’ being adjacent to green belt and the Fulford conservation area. Other major considerations include vehicle access off an arterial route into York, flooding and part of the site possibly being part of a Ancient Battlefield circa 1066.

The works comprise 680 dwellings approximately 235 of which are allocated for affordable housing. The mix will include a number of bungalows sited on the western and northern boundaries where they interface with existing dwellings.

Properties will all be Ecohomes, Lifetime Homes and 15% will be fully disabled accessible.

Support facilities are included throughout the development including community, health and retail, public open space and play areas.

DAVID WILSON HOMES

Garnett Wharfe

Location: Otley, West Yorkshire

Expertise Area: Architecture

DB3 provided architecture services for the development of a timber framed apartment scheme on the Garnett Wharfe scheme on behalf of David Wilson Homes. The overall scheme provides the regeneration of a derelict paper mill site in Otley.

The 36 luxury apartments are located in a riverside location and a mix of two-bedroom living alongside one-bedroom penthouse suites are included within the scheme.

Set on the historic site of the Garnett paper mill this picturesque development also includes an installation of two Archimedes screws to form part of an on-site hydroelectric facility, generating electricity from the river weir, making the development carbon neutral on an offset basis. The facility is the latest in a host of environmental initiatives at Garnett Wharfe, which also includes an otter holt, bat chamber and a fish pass to help protect local wildlife.

Forbury Apartments

Location: Reading, Berkshire

Expertise Areas: Architecture

This nine storey apartment building is located in the town centre of Reading, adjacent to Forbury Square and Forbury Gardens. It provides 17 luxury apartments through a mixture of two bedroom and three bedroom accommodation.

DB3 was appointed by a private developer client to design the scheme through all project stages from inception to completion.

The building now abuts the redeveloped Forbury Square and contributes to the regeneration of this part of Reading.

Holgate Villas

Location: York, North Yorkshire

Expertise Area: Architecture

DB3 developed a concept design for the internal remodelling of a vacant 1960’s British Railway offices into 50 two bedroom luxury flats.

DB3 achieved planning approval for this landmark building and provided visualisations to show how the tired external facade will be transformed into a contemporary residential development in the

heart of York City Centre.

The design team’s philosophy was to provide a positive response to the surrounding influences of a Conservation Area with the use of a restrained palette of modern materials in order to create a ‘wow’ factor.

HELMSLEY

Shadwell Lane

Location: Leeds, West Yorkshire

Expertise Areas: Architecture

A small development comprising of just 10 units. This site was designed to fit neatly within the residential area creating modern living with excellent transport links to the City.

The site is now complete and occupied but took extensive negotiation with the Local Planning Authority to produce a scheme that was both

acceptable in planning terms and commercially viable.

Working with the developer and alongside the Quantity Surveyors we produced working drawings, specific details and specifications to ensure the work was completed on schedule and within budget.

MIDLAND REGIONAL PROPERTIES

Hanley Vista

Location: Hanley, Staffordshire

Expertise Area: Architecture

Hanley Vista is a new development located in central Hanley. It maximises the site through an innovative approach to volume and massing, and through clever design achieves 240 residential units on a tight urban site.

The ground floor of the building is dedicated to retail.

The materials proposed have been chosen for their compliance with sustainability codes and the way in which they lend themselves to modular construction.

Architecture and much more

As a multi-disciplinary consultancy, our expertise extends beyond architecture, meaning our clients can pick and choose key areas or combine a number of our service skill sets and project management skills when selecting our single point service offer. DB3 Group offers the following six individual business units.

DB3 Architecture & Design

Providing RIBA Chartered sustainable architecture, urban design and masterplanning, with supporting services including BIM, visualisation and interior design. DB3’s architectural team comprises 35+ architects, supported by a strong team of 50+ technologists and architectural assistants with the capacity to resource projects across all sectors.

DB3 Building Services Engineering

Offering CIBSE Chartered Mechanical and Electrical Engineering to all sectors. The team have particular experience in the leisure sector, having delivered numerous wet and dry leisure facilities across the UK. The team are CIBSE Low Carbon Energy Assessors and offer Thermal Modelling (DSM).

Formation 3D (F3D) Drone operated aerial surveys, photography and videography by DB3’s in-house CAA qualified drone operators. A low risk, time efficient alternative for building inspections and land surveys. F3D also offers highly accurate 3D data capture & mapping of existing structures using point cloud, RTK and PPK technology, turning into 3D digital models for construction, design and facilities management projects.

DB3 Net Zero

Drawing on the experience of our in-house mechanical & electrical engineers, architects, energy assessors, Passivhaus designers and sustainability experts. Our suite of Net Zero consultancy services is broken down into six categories which cover topics around whole life cycle. These categories include; Carbon, Efficiency, Passivhaus, Wellbeing, Performance & Compliance.

DB3 Professional Services

The team deliver building surveying, retail project management, principal designer, contract administration and NEC supervisor roles, across the UK. Working alongside DB3’s architectural and M&E teams, these roles can be incorporated into a multi-disciplinary offering or procured as an independent service.

Home & Maker

A sister company to DB3 Architecture & Design, Home and Maker provides RIBA chartered online architectural services to domestic residential customers. Drawing on DB3’s many years of home design and construction experience, Home & Maker focuses on designing great homes at an affordable price.

Awards

DB3 Group: Winner – City of Manchester & City of Birmingham Business Awards 2022 ‘Architect of the Year’; 2021 Digital Enterprise Top 100; Winner – Insider Property Industry Awards 2018 ‘Architectural Practice of the Year’ & ‘Design Excellence’; Shortlisted – BD Awards 2017 ‘Sports & Leisure Architect of the Year’; RICS Design Through Innovation Award 2017; Insider Property Industry Awards 2015 ‘Highly Commended Architectural Firm of the Year’

Llys Cadwyn Regeneration: Winner – Cardiff Property Awards 2021 and Ystadau Cymru 2021 Award for ‘Creating Economic Growth’; Highly Commended – British Construction Industry Awards 2021; CLAW Project of the Year Awards 2021

Adidas Oxford Street: Gold Winner – London Design Awards 2020

Leeds College of Music: Winner – RIBA Regional Award 2015 ‘Small Project Award’; Shortlisted –Insider Property Industry Awards Yorkshire 2018 ‘Regeneration Project of the Year’, Education Estates Awards 2018 ‘Refurbishment Project’, AJ Retrofit Awards 2018 ‘Further & Higher Education’; Constructing Excellence Yorkshire & Humber Awards 2018 ‘Building Project of the Year’

Chancery Lane Residential: Shortlisted – London Construction Awards 2018 ‘London Build Excellence’ & ‘Regeneration Project’

Airedale Air Conditioning: Winner – RICS 2017 Regional Award ‘Design through innovation’

Ysgol Craig Y Deryn School: RTPI Wales Planning Award 2014

Kirkcaldy Leisure Centre: Commended – SCALA Awards 2014 ‘Civic Building of the Year’

Michael Woods Leisure Centre: Highly Commended – SCALA Awards 2014 ‘Civic Building of the Year’; Scottish Property Awards 2014 ‘Architectural Excellence’

MOMA Machynlleth Tannery Gallery: CPRW Awards 2014 ‘Special Award’

Marks & Spencer, Liverpool: Highly Commended –CIAT Award 2010 ‘Technical Excellence’

PAN Emirates, Dubai: Shortlisted – Retail Interiors Awards 2010 ‘Best International Interior’

Threeways School, Bath: BCSE Awards 2009 ‘Inspiring Design for Special Schools’

ASDA Stores Supplier Awards: 2009 ‘Best Consultant’ & ‘Best EDLC (Every Day Low Cost) Initiative’

University of Huddersfield, Creative Art Building: Bronze Awards – RIBA White Rose Award 2009; Commendation – CIAT Award 2009; Shortlisted –RICS Pro Yorkshire Awards 2009

University of Huddersfield, Milton Centre: Winner – Insider Yorkshire Renaissance Awards 2006 ‘Best Restoration Project’

Aberdovey Yacht Club: Winner – Snowdonia National Park Awards 1992 ‘Good Design in the Countryside Award’

St Giles Business Park for the DBRW: Winner – Prince of Wales Design Awards 1990 ‘Good Design Awards’

Llwydcoed Crematorium: Commendation – RIBA Awards 1968

Various

Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS): 2017, 2011, 2010

Green Apple Awards: 2015, 2013, 2010, 2009, 2008,

LABC Building Excellence Awards: 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008

LABC Design Excellence Awards: 2013, 2012, 2009, 2008, 2003, 2002

Leicestershire & Rutland Craftsmanship Awards: 2013, 2012, 2009, 2008, 2003, 2002

Civic Trust Awards: 2012, 2007, 2006, 1993, 1990

BREEAM Awards: 2008, 2007

Montgomeryshire Design Awards: 1997, 1994