40 PROJECT REPORT: RETIREMENT LIVING & SOCIAL CARE
“The space constraint can also be seen as an opportunity, producing really interesting
architecture – a sculpted form which denotes the transition from urban Hackney to London Fields,” says Hynds
apartment units; three running down either wing of the complex, leaving a gap in the centre. Hynds explains that the tightness of the plot was further constrained by it being developed on each side except to the south. “There’s a tower block on the north bound- ary which really complicated the rights of light model that we had to keep to.” It was essential that the new development didn’t obstruct daylight from reaching the balconies on the tower block, as well as other neighbouring properties, to any significant extent. He continues: “The other thing was the row of trees along the edge of the fields, which imposed tree constraints along the southern boundary.” In response to the light and tree constraints, the architects decided to stagger the building’s form and distribute the massing towards the park in the south. Replicating this logic, the second floor is void of units along the northern side of the plan, as is the third, while the uppermost fourth floor features just a cluster of three units in the south-east corner of the plan. “The space constraint can also be seen as an opportunity, producing really interesting architecture – a sculpted form which denotes the transition from urban Hackney to London Fields,” says Hynds.
WWW.ARCHITECTSDATAFILE.CO.UK
Stepping the volume down not only allows it to conform to the strict rights to light, but means that each of the residences benefits from park views. Each residence is also at minimum dual aspect, with a number of flats being triple aspect. Balconies are also fitted throughout the building along with full-height windows, resulting in better ventilation and greater amounts of light to apartments, and allow- ing Quadra to meet the HAPPI principles. “Full height windows are great for older people,” Hynds adds. “Sitting down or bed- bound – you get views out.” During the construction phases, the tight plot posed significant challenges in terms of access for deliveries of materials, plant and the like, with access possible from only one point in the south-west corner of the site. As a consequence, the architects had to invest significant energy into negotiating with Transport For London. In addition the architects had to design a double-height space for offloading into the site. This two-storey space now houses the communal lounge. Aesthetically, the concrete frame produces a clean and simple gridded appearance, enhanced by a series of horizontal decks and vertical bands which spill down the
ADF APRIL 2019
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92
