Our clients – the directors of a print work firm – were retiring and closing their business. Their brief was for us to design a scheme that will achieve planning and ultimately realise the full value of the site. They were taking a long-term view and want to leave a legacy for Croydon through well-designed, sustainable homes.

The scheme includes nine new self-contained residential units; a mix of family homes and flats. The new units have been designed to sit carefully within the context of the surrounding residences, and with a semi-industrial feel to reflect the history of the site. Each property has an outdoor garden area and parking space.

The site is not without challenges; It is located in between two rows of houses, creating complications around access, shared boundaries and ‘overlooking’. To help overcome these challenges we have positioned the homes at angles that face away from the adjacent homes and gardens, creating desirable south facing homes with courtyard gardens. They are also designed as ‘upside-down’ homes, so the living spaces have the most desirable natural light and aspect.

The urban planning, includes creating a new pedestrian public route through the site.