BROCKLEY CROSS
5 storey residential building forming a ‘gateway’ location into the conservation area beyond.
Brockley Cross utilises a derelict peninsular site situated on the edge of the Brockley Conservation Area to provide seven new homes that celebrate the location and local vernacular.
Dowen Farmer and Just Simple Homes sought opportunities to celebrate the unique site, exploring possibilities for proving a high quality architectural scheme that respects the Georgian terraces of Geoffrey Road and Upper Brockley Road. An island in the centre of Brockley Cross, the site has three active frontages facing several terraces that feature a range of heights and architectural details. At the core of the design was to tie together this mix, gradually increasing in height from the site’s immediate neighbour on Geoffrey road to its neighbours opposite and beyond, whilst echoing architectural details of the historic context to provide exceptionally high quality homes.
The site had a previously consented scheme but DFA and Just Simple Homes wanted to deliver a higher quality building; they felt that the material palette of the previous scheme (timber cladding, brick, grey metal and glass) didn't relate to or respect the historic context.
As the gateway to the Conservation Area, it was fundamental to use a contextual material palette, as well as form and fenestration that echoed the neighbouring buildings. After early engagement with the local planning authority and a positive pre-app, DFA and Just Simple Homes submitted a new application.
Building Lines, To respect the local heritage asset along the eastern boundary the building and roof ridge lines were closely analysed and continued across onto the proposal.
Surrounding Buildings, creating an architectural language that is contextually responsive by crafting the massing
Quality Accommodation, bringing light into the lower ground floor units with sunken amenity spaces and lightwells
The use of handmade brick is a natural choice for the proposal, given it’s presence throughout the area. To lighten the visual weight of the scheme, a lighter and more contemporary tone has been selected. Concrete columns and banding echo the use of painted render, prevalent in the existing terraced houses along Geoffrey and Upper Brockley Road. These features also help to visually break down the massing and give hierarchy to the floors. A copper mansard top floor also helps to further break down the massing and give hierarchy to the floors. The tone is in keeping with the palette of the rest of the scheme, introducing textural contrast to give three dimensionality and depth.
The landscape strategy aims to soften the overall form of the building, provide high quality amenity space and light to each apartment, and increase the quantum of green space on the site. Low planters wrap around the building perimeter at the ground floor, increasing privacy to the ground floor apartment and softening the building as it meets the public pavement. Low planters also wrap around the two tiered terraces on the second and third floors, softening the roof form of the building.
Project Info
STATUS
CONSTRUCTION, 2024
TYPE
RESIDENTIAL
LOCATION
CLIENT
AREA
594m²
COORDINATES
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