Church Street, London E15

Project Winner

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Architect

Allford Hall
Monaghan Morris

Developer

Community Housing Group

Contractor

Bugler Developments

Planning Authority

London Borough of Newham

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This old shirt factory site is made tricky by its depth and single frontage to All Saints Church on Church Street, complications compounded by being surrounded by more housing. The solution proposed for Community Housing Group will provide 54 tenure blind units in two mostly 5-storey blocks either side of a communal landscaped courtyard. The building fronting the church will house 35 shared ownership 1- and 2-bed flats, the southern block 19 mostly 3-bed properties for social rent plus two wheelchair units and two 4-bed maisonettes. Both blocks are accessed from Church Street through one entrance for pedestrians next to a vehicle access to 27 parking spaces and bicycle storage in a naturally lit undercroft to the courtyard.

Both blocks are built up of 3-, 4- and 5-storeys depths. A part of the frontage is brought forward at 3-storey to respect the 3-storey buildings it sits between and is angled to align with the façade of All Saints Church. This is tied back to 4- and then a 5-storey blocks which continues to the courtyard. The steps in the façade both resolve the relationship between the new and old and create terraced balconies at the third and fourth floor. The junction between the different façades frames a suitable spot for the access.

The materials pallet of brick and glass is deliberately understated and robust. Recessed balconies are framed within masonry panels that add stylish semi-private external amenity and increased surveillance down the street. Windows have deep brick reveals, which repeat in just two variations of width sizes across the façades, and open inward, a glass balustrade creating a variation of the Juliet balcony. Units are all designed to Lifetime Homes and incorporate good space and generous storage. Communal courtyard, balconies and small gardens to some units offer a fair level of amenity. This scheme is set to do the basics well, while adding subtle elegance to its location.

adding subtle elegance to it's location