Viktor Rohacs, Project Director at Bogle Architects, comments: "We are delighted our scheme has achieved planning consent. A great deal of thought went into the carefully stepped profile, creating a building that sits comfortably within its immediate context, minimising impact on its neighbours."
Establishing a successful allocation of residential use alongside the commercial space required extensive testing of potential arrangements. A clean vertical split between the two main uses was chosen, with the office element located along the street frontage and the residential block to the rear of the site. The scheme also includes a significant provision of high quality public realm.
The proposal provides generous amenity space for the residents in the form of balconies, shared gardens and roof terraces. The offices and all apartments are fully wheelchair accessible, with 14 of the 59 residential units featuring wheelchair adaptable internal layouts.
Sustainability is at the heart of the proposal embracing energy efficiency, maximum use of natural daylight and ventilation. The office component is designed to achieve a BREEAM ‘Very Good’ rating.
The varying scale of the context and the required residential element created a challenging brief. Extensive consultations with the local council, reviews of the scheme with the Hertfordshire Design
Panel and presentations to the local community all helped to steer the successful outcome of the resulting design.
Secured by Design principles were an integral part of the design process and the scheme has been coordinated and developed with the Crime Prevention Design Service of the Hertfordshire Constabulary.
