Context
Tim undertook a scheme audit to determine the performance of the existing planning permission from which generated a suite of strategic optimisation options across multiple aspects of the design that could enhance both efficiency, value and quantum of housing and employment space.
Approach
Optimisation opportunities included:
- Swapping commercial floorspace located at upper floors with homes at street level, which realised additional benefit two-fold – commercial space that commanded better yield being at street level, and homes that were elevated where daylight performance was improved
- Amendments to the external façade to improve robustness and longevity of material selection
- Reorganising of floorplates that enable the change to the housing mix and core design to improve efficiency.
- Regularisation of storey heights to insert additional floors and homes broadly within the approved building heights.
- Substantial reduction in basement size and onsite car parking that improved construction programme and reduced embodied carbon.
Outcome
The additionality of homes across the development enabled the increase in affordable housing from 31% to a policy compliant 35%.