DB3 Residential Profile

DB3 Residential Project Experience

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, and Formation 3D. 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.

Glasgow

EXPERTISE Architecture Passivhaus Design Urban Design Visualisation Principal Designer NEC Supervisor

Leeds Manchester

Aberystwyth

Cardiff

Birmingham

London

About DB3

SECTORS Commercial Conservation & Heritage Education Energy & Waste Healthcare Hospitality Industrial & Manufacturing Retail Residential Science & Labs Sports & Leisure

Personal Spaces for the World you Live in Our residential expertise spans a diverse range of projects, from individual homes to expansive, multi-unit developments. Guided by our mission to create spaces that exceed expectations, we deliver residential solutions that are not only comfortable and user-friendly but also costefficient in construction and easy to maintain.

Our portfolio spans private and social housing, retirement living, and the restoration of listed buildings.

With extensive experience in both the social and private sectors, we offer a comprehensive service that supports clients through each phase of the project journey. From initial concept and design through to construction and longterm maintenance, we ensure every detail is thoughtfully managed. Our collaborative approach, combined with a deep understanding of residential needs and technical considerations, enables us to design and deliver homes that enhance lives and communities.

HALAMAR

Chancery Lane Location: London Expertise Area: Architecture A refurbishment and change of use for 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.

HALAMAR

Golden Square Location: London Expertise Areas: Architecture

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 Residential Expertise

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.

BEAUMONT MORGAN

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

DRUM

Minerva Street Location: Glasgow, Scotland Expertise Area: Architecture

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.

DB3 Residential Expertise

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

VASCROFT CONTRACTORS

TRS Apartments Location: London Expertise Area: Architecture DB3 was appointed to deliver the conversion of a 1960s office block into a luxury residential development. The project involved the demolition, strip-out and removal of the existing external façades to transform the original seven-storey concrete framed building, which also included a basement car park.

The scheme was extended at ground floor level and a new five-storey block was constructed to

the rear, alongside the addition of two levels of penthouse apartments. In total, the development created 149 luxury apartments, with a new ground floor library incorporated to provide a valuable community facility.

The basement was also extended to increase parking provision. New elements were constructed offsite, with MMC used to deliver the façade system and penthouse additions efficiently.

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

DB3 Residential Expertise

The ground floor of the building is dedicated to retail.

FUNKY URBAN CONCEPTS

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.

BERKELEY HOMES

Residential Apartments Location: Lewisham, London

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.

DB3 Residential Expertise

Expertise Area: Architecture

THURROCK COUNCIL

Broxburn Drive Location: South Ockendon, Thurrock Expertise Area: Architecture DB3 have been working with Thurrock Council’s Housing Team to increase the provision of affordable homes on the Broxburn Drive estate through a series of ‘infill’ buildings; bringing underutilised areas into use, and providing new landscape improvement works across the estate.

At the very heart of our proposals is the desire to deliver new high quality affordable homes for the people of Thurrock. The proposals are for an 100% affordable housing scheme, which will deliver 33no. 1, 2 and 3 bed affordable homes, for people on Thurrock’s social housing register, providing much needed affordable housing for the Borough.

The scheme delivers modern homes within a high quality landscaping scheme, which seeks to open up and improve amenity access across the estate.

A key focus for us throughout the design evolution was ensuring that the new build elements of the scheme were designed to complement and enhance the existing estate and surroundings.

The key design benefits of the proposals are:

Improving the sense of security across the estate was also a key aim of the proposals and therefore features such as the existing high separating walls have been removed, opening up the site and providing new access routes through the estate.

This allows for improved natural surveillance and increased safety across the site which has been welcomed by Essex Police.

The landscape design at Broxburn Drive has been central to the design and decision making throughout. Our aim is to open up the spaces across the site, introducing landscaping and natural play features to encourage both existing and future residents to engage with and benefit from the new amenity spaces created across the estate.

The development has been designed to target low energy consumption and low carbon emissions, and to exceed the requirements of the current Building Regulations.

The scheme responds positively to the existing estate and surrounding area;

Provides high quality landscaping and general estate improvements

Provides an improved sense of place and visual Creates new wildlife and amenity spaces

DB3 Residential Expertise

quality of the environment

THURROCK COUNCIL

Darnley Road Location: Grays, Thurrock Expertise Area: Architecture, Principal Designer DB3 is serving as lead architect and principal designer for a new Thurrock Council project at Darnley Road car park in Grays, Thurrock. The development will provide 53 self-contained flats, featuring a mix of 1- and 2-bedroom units, in a town-centre location.

In the development of the Planning Submission elevations, avoiding the overlooking of existing properties was a key consideration. The elevations have been developed to restrict overlooking and maintain the privacy of existing residents.

This complex urban site requires a thoughtful approach to building height, massing, materials, and detailing. Brick was chosen for the building facades, not only for its durability, weather resistance, and non-combustibility but also to harmonise with the character of nearby properties.

DB3 Residential Expertise

The scheme includes 35% affordable housing.

Although community facilities were not part of the original brief, DB3 designed the ground floor areas with increased floor-to-ceiling heights, allowing for future adaptability, should community spaces be needed in the future.

MAC GROUP

77 Alexandra Drive Location: Noorwood, Crystal Palace Expertise Area: Architecture DB3 was engaged by Mac Group to deliver a 4-storey residential building, providing nine self-contained flats along with landscaping, cycle storage, and a bin store. Initially appointed by HC Homes for the technical design, DB3’s role expanded post-acquisition to refine the project to Design and Build (D&B) standards, incorporating necessary design changes.

Inherited after the planning stage, the project faced several challenges, including resolving height constraints and addressing inaccuracies due to the absence of a topographical survey

from the previous architects. When we received the survey and overlaid the drawing, we had to reduce the building’s width. The planning included conditions for accessible flats, requiring one Category 2 and one Category 3 unit on the ground floor. Designing larger rooms and wider spaces to meet these conditions presented a significant constraint, as this was not accounted for in the original plans. To resolve this, we reconfigured the internal layout and optimised the use of available space, ensuring compliance with planning requirements while maintaining a functional design.

THURROCK REGENERATION LTD

Culver Centre Housing Location: South Ockendon, Thurrock Expertise Area: Architecture

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

The project was 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.

DB3 Residential Expertise

DB3 were 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 consists 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.

ROYAL TROON

Crosbie Tower Location: Troon, Scotland Expertise Area: Architecture 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.

DB3 Residential Expertise

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.

BUGLER DEVELOPMENTS

Runnymede Campus Location: Egham, Surrey Expertise Area: Architecture, Principal Designer DB3 acted as architect and principal designer for Bugler developments under a Design and Build Contract.

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

BUGLER DEVELOPMENTS

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 locally listed Edwardian building along with 10 stylish, new family houses and 14 desirable new apartments within landscaped grounds.

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.

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

DB3 Residential Expertise

Constructed in the first decade of the twentieth

DCD PROPERTIES

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.

REIGATE & BANSTEAD COUNCIL

Pitwood Development Location: Tadworth Expertise Area: Architecture and steel beams to the first floors; and timber structure to the roof.

The design strategy has developed utilising a traditional form of construction:

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.

Houses: brick/tiled and blockwork cavity walls; beam and block ground floors; timber joists

Design has been developed using Revit for Building Information Modelling.

DB3 Residential Expertise

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.

PEMBROKESHIRE COUNCIL

Bro Preseli Location: Crymych, Pembrokeshire Expertise Area: Architecture The £7m scheme, located in Crymych, was a joint venture between Family Housing Association, Pembrokeshire Council and Hywel Dda Health Board and comprises 40 apartments, a health centre, community resource centre and day centre with a restaurant, lounge and shop as well as a range of facilities for tenants. The scheme was envisaged as a new model for rural communities, integrating both assisted living and healthcare in one development and requiring collaboration between several agencies.

The brownfield site, formerly occupied by a livestock market, provided several challenges, including a significant slope, the presence of knotweed and the requirement for access to a row of unattractive garages along one side of the site.

Our design overcame these challenges using a split level design with the health centre, daycare centre and most communal facilities located on the lower ground floor facing a landscaped south facing courtyard, and the apartments on the upper floors.

connect the Health Centre entrance to a new car park to the south. A key client aspiration was to avoid north-facing apartments which we achieved by orientating the majority of the building on a north south axis. Another aspiration was to bring daylight into circulation areas which we achieved by judicious location of double height ‘viewpoints’ incorporating easy chairs. The scheme makes use of the views over open countryside to the Preseli mountains, but the semi-rural location adjacent to the Pembrokeshire Coast National park also imposed significant planning constraints which required a landscape visual impact assessment, and restrictions on height and external materials.

Extensive consultation was required with numerous parties in the briefing and design period including the council housing and social services departments, as well as GP’s, the Health Board, charities, planning department and the national park neighbouring the site. An ‘AEDET’ design review was also carried out of the Health Centre design by NHS Wales.

DB3 Residential Expertise

One of the main design challenges was that separate main entrances were required for each of the three facilities. The daycare entrance required a canopy allowing covered transfer from a minibus and the primary healthcare entrance needed to be visually prominent from the vehicular access. As the entrances were on different sides of the building, separate parking areas were required for visitors to the Health Centre, and a new road access was required to

AFFINITY SUTTON

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.

BRIDEHALL LTD

Mixed Use Development Location: Hillingdon

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.

DB3 Residential Expertise

Expertise Areas: Architecture

KIER LIVING

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.

LONDON QUADRANT

Court Bushes Location: London Expertise Area: Architecture

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.

DB3 Residential Expertise

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

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.

PERSIMMON HOMES

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 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 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 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.

DB3 Residential Expertise

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 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.

PERSIMMON HOMES

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

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.

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 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.

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.

DB3 Residential Expertise

Expertise Area: Architecture

SHADWELL DEVELOPMENTS

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.

HELMSLEY SECURITIES

Holgate Villas Location: York, North Yorkshire

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.

DB3 Residential Expertise

Expertise Area: Architecture

WILTSHIRE COUNCIL

Social Housing Location: Wiltshire Expertise Area: Architecture, Principal Designer DB3 were appointed as the architect and principal designer for Wiltshire Council’s social housing project, part of an initiative to provide affordable housing in small villages and towns across the county. This project marks the council’s first new housing development in over two decades. DB3 worked closely with the council to ensure the design met both local needs and sustainability objectives.

Our services spanned all RIBA Stages, collaborating with the council from the initial planning phase through to technical design, tendering, and construction. We also supported the public consultation process by preparing visual materials, including visualisations, and attending drop-in sessions to address public queries. After planning approval, we produced detailed technical documentation for contractor tendering and administered the contract using a JCT Intermediate form.

The council sought to develop underutilised sites already owned by the local authority to address a regional need for accessible housing for elderly residents wishing to remain within their communities. The project involved the development of 10 single-storey homes across three infill sites in Rowde, East Knoyle, and Durrington. These homes were designed in accordance with Category 2 of Approved Document Part M, ensuring accessibility and adaptability for elderly residents. The project also aligned with Level 4 of the Code for Sustainable Homes, incorporating energy-efficient features to support sustainability.

As the projects represented the Council’s first new housing developments for over 20 years, we worked with them to create a design brief which could be used to inform their whole programme over the next few years. We then developed designs in close consultation with housing officers, in a formal stage process as set out in the design brief, with client sign-offs at each stage. In addition to pre-application consultation with the local authority planning officer, we also assisted with public consultations by preparing graphic material including visualisations and by attending drop-in sessions to answer queries from members of the public.

The first major challenge was the budget. Due to the housing department’s limited experience in development, minimal allowance had been made for site infrastructure costs. As a result, the initial cost plan, prepared after the feasibility study, required a substantial increase for the project to proceed. The small number of homes on each site and the lack of existing services at two of the sites meant that infrastructure costs accounted for nearly 50% of the total project cost.

Given that accessibility and flexibility were key elements of the brief, the single-storey homes were designed to Category 2 accessibility standards (equivalent to Lifetime Homes). This included features such as wider doorways, enhanced kitchen space, and the capacity to accommodate future hoists. The homes were also designed to exceed the energy requirements of Level 4 of the Code for Sustainable Homes, incorporating high standards of airtightness and insulation, as well as sustainable technologies like photovoltaic panels and air source heat pumps.

DB3 Residential Expertise

Architecture and much more

DB3 Architecture & Design Providing RIBA Chartered sustainable architecture, urban design, landscape 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 40+ technologists and architectural assistants with the capacity to resource projects across all sectors.

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 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 incorporates Building Physics Engineering, are CIBSE Low Carbon Energy Assessors and offer Thermal Modelling (DSM).

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.

About DB3

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 four individual business units.

Accreditations AJ100 Company RIBA Chartered Practice Passivhaus Trust Member Certified Passivhaus Designers CIAT Registered Practice CIBSE Directory of Practices & Firms CIBSE Low Carbon Energy Assessors ISO9001:2015 Quality Management System ISO14001:2015 Environmental Management System Altius Approved Elite Vendor H&S SSIP Accredited, through Eurosafe and Alcumus Constructionline Gold Member Achilles RISQS Accredited Cyber Essentials Plus

Awards DB3 Group: Shortlisted - COBBA 2024 ‘Architect of the Year; Shortlisted - Yorkshire Insider Awards 2024 ‘Architecture Practice of the Year’; Winner UK Enterprise Client Service Excellence Award 2024 ‘Best Sustainable Architecture Practice’; Shortlisted - The Grafters Awards 2024 ‘Best RIBA Architectural Practice’; ’Shortlisted - MMC Awards 2024 ‘Women in Modern Methods of Construction’; Winner - Build Architecture Awards ‘Best Sustainable Architecture & Design Firm 2023’; Shortlisted West Midlands Insider Awards 2023 ‘Architecture Practice of the Year’; Winner - Yorkshire Insider Awards 2023 ‘Architecture Practice of the Year’; Shortlisted - COBBA 2023 ‘Business Development Professional’; Shortlisted - UKREiiF Awards 2023 ‘Consultant of the Year’ & ‘People & Skills Torchbearer’; Shortlisted - COMBA 2023 ‘Architecture Practice’ & ‘Business Development Professional’; Shortlisted - Grafters Awards 2023 ‘Architecture Practice’; Winner – COMBA & COBBA 2022 ‘Architect of the Year’; 2021 Digital Enterprise Top 100; Winner – Insider Property 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’ Castle Farm Leisure Centre: ‘Best Public or Community Building’ - LABC Regional Awards Printworks Campus: ‘Project of the Year Education (Secondary & Higher)’ - MMC Awards 2024 Helensburgh Waterfront Development: Highly Commended - Argyll & Bute Awards 2023 ‘Aesthetic Design’; Finalist - Planning Awards 2023 ‘Outstanding Contribution to Placemaking: Best Use of Arts, Culture or Sport’; Highly Commended IStructE Awards 2022 ‘Leisure Project’ 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; Winner –Constructing Excellence Awards Wales 2021 ’Integration and Collaborative Working’ & ‘Building of the Year’ 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’ MOMA Machynlleth Tannery Gallery: CPRW Awards 2014 ‘Special Award’ Michael Woods Leisure Centre: Highly Commended – SCALA Awards 2014 ‘Civic Building of the Year’; Scottish Property Awards 2014 ‘Architectural Excellence’ 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’ Llwydcoed Crematorium: Winner - RIBA Wales Architecture Awards 1971 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

London

Cardiff

Leeds

Glasgow

Birmingham

Aberystwyth

Manchester

0113 244 6931 contact@db3group.com www.db3group.com