28 SOCIAL HOUSING PROJECT REPORT


to improve light levels and signal a more relaxed semi-private space for residents. Curved brickwork at the corners of the building, on the internal corners of the courtyard and on cantilevered balconies projecting over the communal area, add to the sense of informality.


“The curved internal corners of the courtyard are resonant of Florin Court, although the proportions are different we were very pleased that that fed through,” said Tozer. “An economy of means” made the suave 1930s-inspired look possible on a relatively tight budget. The red and brown bricks were more cost effective than using blonde or London stock bricks and all the curves were created by cutting standard bricks rather than paying extra for specials. “It’s good to keep skills alive in the industry by getting good brickies to show off what they can do,” says Tozer. The architect’s oversight of construction helped ensure build quality was maintained with minimal scope for value engineering. Key to getting it right was providing a fully coordinated set of information when doing to tender for the design and build contract, says Tozer. Full scale on site mock ups of key details helped ensure the specifi ed bricks were not substituted for inferior


products. “We try to design things that are architecturally robust, avoiding classic errors like punctuating the elevation with vents or running rainwater downpipes in an uncoordinated manner,” says Tozer. he modernist fl ourishes were confi ned to the exterior, with the interiors standardised and prescribed by The Employer’s Requirements. The scheme was ultimately delivered for £34m, equivalent to £2,900 per m2


. Not everything went smoothly on site,


Tozer recalls some “fairly challenging conversations” with Henry Construction over the contractor’s attempts to change some of the principles the architect had established and ensuring it delivered on the quality standards. enry was experiencing fi nancial


diffi culties and sadly san into administration three quarters of the way through the build. It was replaced by Lovell who “did a very good job of fi nishing it off,” says oer.


The success of the completed building is testament to the tenacity of the project team, which through diligent attention to detail and budget-friendly design was able to deliver a distinctive building and give residents a taste of 1930s-style mansion block living within the hustle-bustle of 21st century London.


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