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PROJECT REPORT: COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS
“Where we’ve used timber, we wanted it to be expressed as timber, and where there’s concrete, we wanted to display it as such”
both of which could be achieved with the retention of the buildings.” Approaching a new application however, Foster says that this planning process saw a series of pre-application meetings and design review panel sessions to develop the design. “We had a really positive relationship with the planners – they were really on board with us retaining the building, and could envision the community we were going to build around it.”
First thoughts With the team in place, according to Foster, even when first visiting the site the practice was struck by its “eclectic feel.” He continues: “It’s got an interesting story, but this came with its own problems.” Despite its “clear potential,” the architect admits that when they first looked at the building, “it was a real dump; there was barbed wire everywhere.”
“There had been a community of people living and working there, and hosting
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parties,” he explains. “Some parts were in use, some left vacant. The rooms had been split up into offices and studios, but in a very haphazard, quite chaotic way.” Despite this however, the site’s potential continued to shine through. With the existing ex-factory building having been designed to be extended upwards in future years, they had heavily engineered structures with concrete columns and two five-storey circulation towers. What would become The Dock was “very suitable to build extensions above,” explains the architect.
Exciting design process The brief was to “reinvent a much-loved but tired collection of industrial buildings to create a healthy, sustainable work campus,” and Foster says this meant the design process was “exciting, but challenging.” He continues: “Because it’s a ‘fringe’ location, we wanted to attract creative tenants – creating moments which are fun and enjoyable.”
ADF NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023
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