Developing Brownfield Site Enhances the Neighbourhood Brook Road Flats

The site layout provides 9 self-contained flats. Each flat is dual aspect with high ceilings and the majority have balconies or terraces. All flats meet national space standards.

On St Paul’s Road elevation, the building form is two-storey with pitched roofs with gables facing the road which mimics the form of the neighbouring houses. The project is in a sustainable location and within walking distance to a range of public transport, amenities and facilities, it is therefore proposed with no onsite car parking.

The scheme has been designed with a fabric first approach, ensuring a highly insulated construction to improve the efficiency of the heating system and enable passive thermal solar gains to be gained within the flats.

Large windows facing towards the South and West will help capture this light throughout the day and the building fabric helps to trap and retain it. Openable windows are employed to allow natural purge ventilation which, alongside user-controlled blinds, help to manage and control the ambient temperature.

The dwellings are designed to maximise passive solar gain and the specification of low u-value materials, windows, doors and robust details provide an efficient building with low air permeability. A mix of shrubs and perennial plants adds colour and interest to the outside spaces and benefits insects and other fauna.