Amoriera is located in the London Borough of Lewisham on a site that was formerly part of the garden of 8 Eliot Park.
Situated within the Blackheath Conservation Area we were very much aware that we needed to create something that fitted with the distinctive character of the area. This conservation area is known for the low density of its development and its green, well-treed and generally well-maintained environment.
“But it is not just the architectural set-pieces, listed buildings or formal uniform terraces that set Blackheath’s overall character. It is the juxtaposition of these with a rich and varied mixture of buildings of different periods; unexpected corners, strange historic survivals, and stylish new additions – all of these give Blackheath its distinctive and pleasing character.”
~ Forward, Blackheath Conservation Area Appraisal
Design Considerations
The proposal was to provide a family house on a generous plot, enhanced by landscaping both surrounding and integrated into the built form itself. It was our aim to create a stylish new addition that further enhances the rich architectural offering of the area. And to produce a high quality, well-crafted architecture that is socially and economically sustainable as well as being environmentally conscious, with a low carbon footprint.
Landscaping is an important component of any building that is to fit comfortably into the Blackheath Conservation Area. In response to this, our design incorporates landscaping within the building itself and is an appropriate size to allow for sufficient landscaping around the building. While the green wall, roof and natural materials, ensure the development ‘blends in’ successfully.
The design is driven by an interest in materiality and the desire to use sustainable materials in new innovative ways. The façade design, using slatted cedar wood fins, provides privacy, shade and interest in referencing the surrounding treescape. This timber façade will be further referenced throughout the interior of the property giving the house a strong sense of identity. The proposed house has large, high level windows and an open-plan layout providing generous natural light and views of landscaped gardens.
We are confident in our approach that the new design successfully delivers a distinctive elegant new house that fits within the context of the Blackheath Conservation Area. For this new house we have endeavoured to create an architecture that has both unique qualities and a strong visual relationship to its surroundings.
Energy Statement
The Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) methodology was used to model energy demand and carbon emissions of the proposed development.
Lewisham Council stipulated that the building was to achieve at least a19% reduction in CO2 emissions below the target emission rate (TER) based on Part L1A of the 2013 Building Regulations.
The building has been designed to achieve 21% carbon emissions reduction from renewable technology and 21.5% overall reduction in comparison with the 2013 Building Regulations standards.
Two dilapidated barns in the open countryside in St Briavels, Gloucestershire have been converted into a spacious family home and studio. The colour chosen for the hardwood windows and doors has been chosen to complement the local Gloucestershire stone.
Award winning block of 13 flats, built in a conservation area in an historic part of Gloucester, close to the ancient dock with its waterways museum and shopping centre. We worked closely with Gloucester Council's urban design team, which led to a modern building in contrast to the adjacent listed Georgian architecture. We are proud to have been awarded a Civic Trust Award for 'Best New Building' for this design.
In the heart of prestigious Chelsea a mansard extension, basement, internal and external alterations transformed a this house into a sizeable family dwelling.
This is modern extension to a traditional cottage for an artist and sculptor with under floor ground source heating. The new garden room has extensive glazing from which to admire the view and the installations of original sculpture created by the owner Andrew Darke.
New home surrounded by private woodland on the site of a former dilapidated cottage near the village of St Briavels. The village is famous for its castle at the centre of the Forest of Dean. The ancient forest was administered from this point and was known as the Hundred of St. Briavels.
We are very proud to announce that we have received planning permission for this unique new home in Lewisham.
The new nursing home in the beautiful Wye Valley is metres away from Offas Dyke, which is an important scheduled monument. It is built on the site of the a former nursing home, which was demolished to make way for this spacious, state-of-the-art, facility. The brief was to provide a building that responds to its setting and provides a homely atmosphere for its residents, many of whom will live here for a long time.
A stone cottage built on a south facing hillside. We have added three distinctive extensions, including an oak framed garden room, which takes advantage of the views across the valley. A theme of the design was to have playful contrasts of light and shade, both internally and externally.
The Great Oaks Hospice had a very specific need, namely the ability to expand further in the future as required. The building was designed with the facility to expand into the roof space and this work has now been completed, providing additional office and administration space.
The designers at Apex have produced a split level construction with steelwork, blockwork, suspended beam and block, flooring and pre-cast stairs. The timber larch cladding was picked to complement the area of the Forest of Dean. The Hospice was delighted to welcome HRH Princess Anne to officially open the new building.
This interesting Tudor Farmhouse has been substantially extended over a period of ten years to provide additional bedrooms, a converted barn, a larger bar and dinning room, and a managers cottage. The gardens have been carefully planned and adjoin an area of special landscape interest. www.tudorfarmhousehotel.co.uk
A sympathetic timber extension to a stone built Victorian Gothic, grade 2 listed building, originally designed by Augustus Pugin's assistant, at the gate of the church at Highnam. Pugin himself designed the church at Highnam and is most famous for his designs for the Palace of Westminster.
This second floor property on Hackney's bustling Mare Street benefited from an unusually high ceiling allowing for a mezzanine loft conversion which has dramatically increased the usable space. The flat has been transformed into something spectacular.
This two storey extension in St Briavels, Gloucestershire complements the existing cottage and celebrates beautiful views of the surrounding landscape. The brief was to provide a ground floor study with a bedroom above. The internal spaces are uplifting in the way the two rooms benefit from both the morning and evening light.
Client Testimonial:
"Our house is an original 1700s stone cottage of which there are many in the St Briavels area. Extensions have been added at different stages of its life. The result is something of a hotch-potch to be honest. So commissioning a new extension to add a study for me – that would be spacious and quiet plus an attractive bedroom with small en-suite for the many friends and family who come to visit us required thought as to how it could ‘sit’ with the rest of the cottage. We are delighted with the result which not only provides us with the extra space we asked for, but has a sense of lightness and air about it. At the same time the extension ‘sits’ well in proportion with the rest of the house, echoing roof lines and windows. It rationalises the rest of the house - which used to be something of a railway carriage, room after room - but now is more balanced.
David Hurcombe took us through the process from conception to completion with a down-to-earth assurance that we appreciated, clear guidance born of solid experience and good advice when we required it."
all best wishes
Sue
Two houses four flats and a commercial space in Forest Gate, East London recently granted full planning permission!
GREENWICH
133 Creek Road
Greenwich
London
SE8 3BU
020 3393 6555
