HWO October 2023 Brochure

Making space for Londoners.

That’s what we do... For the last 20 years exactly this October.

Our previous issue dated April 2020 was published in the middle of a global pandemic. This Anniversary Issue is published a year after a world energy crisis but in a new positive outlook for the UK property industry. With rising construction costs and no improvements to planning policies in sight, meeting housing targets in London will remain a piped dream over the next decade. As investment funds are progressively taking over the traditional role of property developers, the sector is ongoing yet another transformation. Regardless of those conditions, we will carry on designing and building the best possible housing for Londoners.

Keep well.

HWO architects

October 2023

HWO architects

CORNERSTONE

Client: New River Estate

Located on an island site outside of London in Turnford, Broxbourne Cornerstnone is a recent development appointed to HWO Architects by New River Estates.

The site covers a third of a hectare and is currently vacant following the demolition of the former New River Arms pub. Arranged in an island the development land is surrounded by The Springs to the east and the A1170 to the west. Most of the neighbouring properties are of residential nature with a row of semidetached houses to the west, a college building and linear residential developments to the east and two sites consisting of four

storey, pitched roof blocks of flats on the corners of High Turnford Road to the south. Our approach was to respond to the existing context through developing a massing that isn’t overwhelming and is similar in size and quality to the surrounding dwellings. We achieved this through simple, yet firm ideas including breaking up the massing into three separate sections with different heights and organizing them

towards the south elevation. We also saw the opportunity we had to improve public realm and security of the area through well considered landscaping and active frontages. The main design focus was to create an intriguing form which would be of benefit to the site while keeping the façade modern and clean. The building appears as if sitting on a podium accentuated through the use of different type of brick on the ground

‘The overall compliance with BRE criteria is excellent for a flatted development and it is rare for any such development to achieve 100%’

Matthew Adams Msc

Surveyor/Daylight, Sunlight & Right of Light Eb7

floor in contrast to the remaining levels. The pale brick on the top part of the proposal, combined with the bronze detailing and light grey brick on the base create a soft and delicate look while also having a robust feel. A zigzag pattern across the ground floor adds interest to the form, while the curves in the mass contrast the very carefully placed, simple, rectangular window openings. Recessed terraces prevent the proposal from

becoming too staggering and help make use of irregular spaces formed as a result of the shapes used during the design. The rhythm of the fenestration pattern across the floors keeps all horizontal sections of the building uniform. Change in materials manifests changes in the window arrangement, which in turn reflects differences in internal layouts. Apart from the residential units the proposal also includes a large commercial

unit at ground floor with potential for national retailers. The active frontage adds vitality to public realm. Frequent doors and windows with few blank walls, articulation of facades and lively internal uses visible from the street all add to creating increased surveillance, linear street continuity and a legible urban grain. The landscape proposal has been developed to provide a contextually appropriate development, an attractive setting for new and existing residents and ensure privacy through visual screening.

A large variety of flat layouts and a strong stance on creating accessible and legible access aided in providing an inclusive environment and an increased quality of life. The future residents will benefit from well considered spaces within their new homes as well as carefully thought through shared amenities such as green areas, parking and cycle storage. The planning application is set to be submitted in June 2023.

BATTERSEA HIGH STREET

Client: Aquilo Developments

Another residential development for Aquilo Developments which delivers 9 units on Battersea High Street. Heavily constrained, the site is on the doorsteps of Battersea Park and benefits from excellent transport links.

It’s not every day one stumbles across a site like the old tramshed, in what one could call ‘central Shepherds Bush’, within walking distance from the BBC headquarters, Westfield shopping centre and the Central Line station. And that’s exactly what our clients Flanchford Development did in 2018, asking HWO architects to prepare planning proposals.

Thanks to an excellent PTAL rating of 6b, and given the high public transport accessibility of the site, no car parking was proposed. This meant the proposals could aim for as many units as the site could physically take, having only regard to the daylight/ sunlight analysis and overlooking issues.

The consented scheme provides 8 flexible, well designed units and aims to provide a robust housing mix to satisfy the demand for a range of users within the

community. The proposals consist of a 3 bedroom unit and seven 2 bedroom units, all with 2 bathrooms. All unit sizes meet the required Technical Housing standards –nationally described space standards. One of the key issue with any central London site is always Daylight/Sunlight, and

specifically the impact of the development on neighbourhing properies and the quality of lighting within the proposed residential units. Thanks to careful massing and context analysis work, both issues were addressed at an early stage of the planning application. As a result, a total of 100% of the units are

‘HWO designed a great modernlooking building for us’

Barry Doherty Flanchford

dual aspect. To ensure high quality design and proposals with varying external views, the layouts have were designed to maximise dual aspect units and southern facing flats. The shape of the building was designed with the two longest façades to be south facing, therefore maximising the amount of sunlight

the units receive. Clear floor to ceiling heights were designed to a comfortable 2.5m. In terms of energy, the development will benefit from the following integrated systems: Passive design features (Be Lean), Energy efficiency measures (Be Clean) and Low and zero carbon technologies

(Be Green). The target for the project is to achieve zero carbon emissions to meet the London Plan and the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham’s local plan. The proposals also meet policy requirement for Wheel Chair units of which 10% are Part M4(3) compliant. The proposal aims to provide safe and unbiased access for all. Consideration has been used to ensure ease of use for not only disable users, but to create a high quality environment for families and the elderly. Finally the proposal aims to create a spaces that are easy and well thought out for the entire community. This includes Part M requirements, for instance that all approach routes are safe and convenient for everyone and that all entrance doors minimum clear opening of 775mm.

With most units pre-sold before completion of the works on site, the main issue with the development was the limited access to site and its construction management. Thankfully, this is something that Flanchford in-house contracting arm knew how to manage. Works were successfuly completed mid-2019 and the remaining units put on the market shortly after.

WILCOX ROAD

Client: Aquilo Developments

This mixed-use development of 22 homes for Aquilo is a lot more complex than it first looks. Built over the TfL Northern Line extension, the blocks are to be constructed over two concrete rafts and, due to their height,

will require sprinklers to protect both residents and ground floor commercial units. There will be nursery, restaurants and shops, bringing life back to a once busy part of Lambeth, a short distance away from the Tube entrance.

The site is a part of a once vibrant busy street in Nine Elms. The new proposal is to replace an existing low density retail space and add to the community.

Full planning permission was granted in 2021 for the construction of 22 self-contained residential units, several shops and a nursery. HWO have been appointed in 2022 to review

the existing planning application and resolve issues including fire safety, building control and the buildability. Throughout this process a number of problems have been identified and the overall scheme has been improved. The fundamental design of the scheme was retained, including the two separate blocks,

‘It’s great to work alongside an architect who understands the developers mind and can work within our budget to deliver a beautiful outcome ’.

Mark Whitfield Aquilo

which break up the massing and integrate well within the street and the three roof top amenities, one belonging to the nursery. The proposal will deliver a variety of flat layouts and unit types including two units compliant with the Part M4-3 building regulations for wheelchair users. The

amendments made to the previous planning application will ensure a more robust, sustainable and safer scheme overall, while retaining the original design principles.

Client Aquilo / Turnqey

Contractor

To be announced

Procurement Design & Build

Local Authority Lambeth Council

Number of units 22

Completion 2025

86 HORSEFERRY

Client: Aquilo/Turnqey

How do you five units over a busy pub in a central Westminster area?

The answer is all in the detail in this carefully crafted development that complement the local context while delivering five new quality apartments in the true heart of London .

The site lies in the attractive stretch of countryside to the north of Ongar (Essex) in the pretty hamlet of Birds Green. Previously used as a landscape contractor’s yard, the site included a large barn which volume was used as a the maximum development benchmark.

Following a quick visit on site, it became clear the development faced number of constraints such as the trees bordering the edge of the site and associated root protection areas, but also the close proximity of neighbours. But there were also clear opportunities within the site because existing tree lines created natural plot divisions also screened the property from main road.

During design development, we aimed to create a well-designed scheme to reflect the local vernacular. We started the designs by working on the primary volume. This was inspired by the barn shape, characteristic of the area. Using simple proportions ensured that the form is not over bearing within the setting. The pitch of the roof varies across the 4 units to create character and help the scheme look more organic.

By folding the entrance elevation, depth and identity were created. A small canopy indicates the entrance and the simple fold in the building line created interes. The volume was then animated with playful windows. Further changes in materials helped create texture and

depth to the buildings. Obviously these design considerations also took on board the construction method, ie insulated timber panel technology which CABU, the client’s JV partner, specializes in.

The scheme provides four flexible, well designed units and also aims to satisfy the demand for a range of residential users. While the smallest unit was 3-bedroom the other three were 4-bedroom units ranging from 2,090 to 2,680 sqf. Generally the immediate existing context to the site is a mix G+1 and G+2 so the proposal was for G+1 buildings. Due the range in type, size and roof form, each unit varied slightly in size, the lowest at 7.87m and the largest 8.52m. The non-uniformity of the buildings adds interest and prevents the scheme from looking too homogeneous. Clear floor to ceiling heights are comfortable at 2.6m for the ground floor, and open into the roof space on the upper level, creating the feeling of space and openness.

The window strategy has been designed to create variety and interest across the four houses. Across all four units the intention was to have larger windows on the ground floor and smaller punchy windows on the first floor and this

BRENT HOUSING

Client: LB Brent

Part of the infill programme, these twenty-two New Homes for the London Council of Brent deliver quality where no-one expected it, least of which the Council itself, owner of the brownfield land on which these audacious buildings were designed and constructed.

The site lies in the attractive stretch of countryside to the north of Ongar (Essex) in the pretty hamlet of Birds Green. Previously used as a landscape contractor’s yard, the site included a large barn which volume was used as a the maximum development benchmark.

Following a quick visit on site, it became clear the development faced number of constraints such as the trees bordering the edge of the site and associated root protection areas, but also the close proximity of neighbours. But there were also clear opportunities within the site because existing tree lines created natural plot divisions also screened the property from main road.

During design development, we aimed to create a well-designed scheme to reflect the local vernacular. We started the designs by working on the primary volume. This was inspired by the barn shape, characteristic of the area. Using simple proportions ensured that the form is not over bearing within the setting. The pitch of the roof varies across the 4 units to create character and help the scheme look more organic.

By folding the entrance elevation, depth and identity were created. A small canopy indicates the entrance and the simple fold in the building line created interes. The volume was then animated with playful windows. Further

Client

changes in materials helped create texture and depth to the buildings. Obviously these design considerations also took on board the construction method, ie insulated timber panel technology which CABU, the client’s JV partner, specializes in.

The scheme provides four flexible, well designed units and also aims to satisfy the demand for a range of residential users. While the smallest unit was 3-bedroom the other three were 4-bedroom units ranging from 2,090 to 2,680 sqf. Generally the immediate existing context to the site is a mix G+1 and G+2 so the proposal was for G+1 buildings. Due the range in type, size and roof form, each unit varied slightly in size, the lowest at 7.87m and the largest 8.52m. The non-uniformity of the buildings adds interest and prevents the scheme from looking too homogeneous. Clear floor to ceiling heights are comfortable at 2.6m for the ground floor, and open into the roof space on the upper level, creating the feeling of space and openness.

The window strategy has been designed to create variety and interest across the four houses. Across all four units the intention was to have larger windows on the ground floor and smaller

OUR TEAM

AWARDS

Planning Award

Excellence in Placemaking at High Density (Hackney Wick)

Build Magazine Architectural Award 2019

Best Mixed-Use Architecture Practice.

Build Magazine Architectural Award 2019

Best Residential Mixed-Use Project (East London) for Old Smoke House.

SERVICES

At HWO, we manage the full development cycle. This includes:

Site sourcing and capacity studies

Robust planning applications

RIBA chartered practice, led by ARB architects

Fully compliant designs, audited to Quality Standard IS0 9001

Revit model and scheduling, following industry-standard procedures and established BIM protocols and best practice, according to BS1192:2007, PAS1192-2:2013, AEC UK BIM Standards, CPI Code.

A BIM coordinator assigned to every project, supported by a BIM management team overseeing the strategy, delivery and evolution of our digital design capabilities

Tender drawing and specification packages using NBS Create, directly linked to our BIM model

Specification writing fully linked to Revit models, using NBS Create

Experience in different procurement routes

Experience using MMC’s and CLT frames

Direct collaboration with engineers and specialist consultants

Distribution of web drawings via a dedicated platform Design Leader (awarded RIBA PM Certificate)

CSSW Basement Waterproofing Training

All photos by Craig Auckland (Fotohaus)

CLIENTS

We are proud to work with some of the most prestigious clients in the property industry.

Aitch Construction, Aitch Group, Aquilo Developments. Baqus Plc, Blaircourt Investments, LB Brent, CABU, Capstone Group, Cass & Claredale Housing, Citywest, Homes, Colliers, Dreampoint Homes, LB Ealing, Espa international, Farnham Developments, Four Seasons, Hotels & Resorts, French Trade Bureau in London, Generator Group, Glenny, Guinness Partnership, Hut Group, Hyde Housing, Group, IPE Developments, Jaspar Group, John Jones, Knight Frank, London Development Group, Lakes by yoo, Marriott, IC hotels, Modular Building Consultants, NFS Investments, Network Rail, Quintas Homes, Raven Property, Rail Europe (part of French Railways), Redbridge Council, Regal Homes, Rosemax Investments, Royds Withy King, Silvertown Properties, Software Integrators, Spa Tribe, Squared Group, Strettons, Swimming Rocks, Turnqey, Westminster Kingsway College, Wharfedale Homes, Westbrook Whitfield, Woolbro Group, Yara Capital, The Zamek Group.

EVENTS & FEATURES

‘An Award-Laden Year’ Feature in Construction Industry News Issue 11

Architectural Awards May 2019 BUILD magazine

‘What if planning actually worked?’ Seminar - London Olympia.

‘Homes’ Exhibition - London Olympia.

‘CIH Housing’ Exhibition – Manchester.

‘Addressing The Capital’s Housing Shortage’ Exhibition – 2-5 June, The White Building, Hackney Wick.

‘Foundations of the Future’ Interview – A Home Builders Federation programme by ITN Productions (launched at UK Construction Week).

‘A Capital Crisis of Space’ - A four-page feature in July’s Issue of Inside Housing.

‘It’s all gone PRS’ - One-hour presentation at ‘Homes’ the industry event in Olympia.

‘The Creative Hour - Ep1’ - A drink event featuring a presentation on PRS and Planning by Ben Kelway, Senior Director at Lichfields.

‘The Creative Hour - Ep2’ - A drink event featuring a presentation on the economics of the PRS model by Stephen Young, Director at Fizzy.

‘GRAPHITE Launch Party’ - A drink event to celebrate 14 years in practice and the launch of our in-house mag GRAPHITE.

MIPIM 2018 & 2019 - HWO attended MIPIM, the international real estate fair in Cannes.

HWO architects

G06 Brickfields

37 Cremer Street

London

E2 8HD United Kingdom

T: +44 (0)207 566 0006

E: info@hwo-architects.com

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