Debenhams – Worthing

Reusing Buildings: A Sustainable Approach to Heritage and Design The reuse of existing buildings is paramount in today’s architectural practice. Demolishing structures to make way for new ones is not an effective use of heritage, embodied energy, or time. This project exemplifies our commitment to revitalising the existing structure, and adapting it for contemporary use, while preserving its historical value. Our objective is to help our client transform the building into something modern and functional, without compromising its original character. The challenge was to take an existing design and reimagine the building in a way that could serve future generations. By retaining the key Art Deco features and integrating contemporary elements, we’ve ensured that the building remains relevant and sustainable for the long term. Retrofitting existing buildings is a particularly complex process. Each project is unique, and there are always variables—such as undocumented changes or hidden structural elements—that can complicate the design and construction process. We rely on thorough analysis and flexible approaches to adapt to each building’s specific characteristics, even though the core principles of adaptive reuse remain the same. The original 1926 structure features a concrete-encased steel frame, with a combination of precast concrete and reinforced clay block floors, and rendered brick cavity walls. Our goal was to extend the building vertically by two stories, incorporating internal alterations and inserting new elements to provide both residential and retail spaces. This is a highly intricate operation that demands close coordination with the structural, fire safety, and building control teams, as well as adherence to noise and energy performance standards. Our designs were developed to meet both the latest building regulations and the client’s sustainability goals. The initial plans were provided as 2D drawings, but upon reviewing the site, we noted several discrepancies. To address this, Archidata assisted us by conducting a comprehensive 3D survey, creating a point cloud, and developing a 3D model of the building as it stood. Working with existing structures, a 3D model is essential for ensuring that both the existing conditions and proposed modifications align accurately. Traditional 2D drawings often fail to capture the complexities of level changes and irregular shapes in older buildings. Once the 3D model was established, we integrated the original 2D AutoCAD plans into Revit, which allowed us to begin the detailed design process. Simultaneously, the structural engineer was working on the structural framework within the building. The use of Revit streamlined coordination between the two teams, enabling us to optimisze the design and retain as much of the existing building as possible. This approach not only reduced waste but also minimiszed the need for new materials, which is a key objective in sustainable design. Our next step was to provide the necessary elements for the Building Control submission, ensuring the design could progress to the construction phase. This involved collaborating with the wider design team and managing the release of drawings through the project documentation system. For team members who do not use Revit, we provided links to the model, allowing them to track the project’s development in real-time. Reuse and retrofit projects are some of the most rewarding we undertake. They offer the opportunity to preserve architectural history while minimiszing the environmental impact of new construction. By reducing the need for new materials and repurposing existing structures, we can contribute to a more sustainable and responsible future. Both preservation and sustainability should be the primary considerations when evaluating an existing building for reuse.

Conservation Area Office

Conservation Area Office next to a listed building

We worked with the client to develop the original planning drawings from Lomax Design to generate a set of building regulation drawings to enable the client’s contractor to take the design to site. The end goal was to take the existing 2 story building and add an extra floor of usable space within it whilst keeping to the original planning design developed by Lomax Design. We worked closely with the team to ensure their design intent was kept and to ensure their needs for quality and durability of products were met. We coordinated the design between the structural and M&E engineers to help the client’s team get to a final design and get the building signed off. The building was modelled and detailed in Revit to ensure a coordinated package for the contractors. As well as to minimise site risks as the building was of interest because it was adjacent to a listed property and in a conservation area. There were a lot of interested parties. The building was successfully handed over in late 2022.

Boutique Hotel – Brighton

Renovation of a Boutique Hotel in Brighton

This is our second collaboration with the client, following a successful hotel redevelopment completed in 2018. The project is a property renovation, creating another boutique hotel that is remotely manned and monitored (removing the need for a traditional reception). The hotel is designed to be a fun space in the centre of town, with a focus on super comfy beds and smart tech. Reservations and guest support will be handled in the same way as their first hotel. This time, we’re dealing with a Grade II Listed property situated within the bounds of the historic Brighthelmstone, making it a more complex project. When purchased, the building was in a poor state. The external fire escape route, for example, is beyond repair. And the roof had been covered with a waterproofing membrane that is detrimental to the fabric of the building!  Additionally, some elements of work (such as replacement UPVC windows) had been previously carried out without planning permission and would need rectifying. An initial research phase involved reviewing the history of the building. This included time spent at The Keep as well as various site visits. We prepared a heritage, design and access statement in support of a part-retrospective Listed Building Consent application for the replacement of existing windows and for general refurbishment and minor reconfiguration works. Early engagement was made with the Conservation Officer, and during the design phase, we worked with the council to obtain pre-application advice. This gave our clients piece of mind as to the possibilities for the building. It also gave them an understanding of elements that the Conservation Officer wanted to see, retain and repair. We designed new layouts and spaces and provided detailing. The spaces needed upgrading and we specified products that would satisfy Building Regs, improve the user experience and make the building safe! All of this was required to achieve the relevant consents. Then we developed a package for a competitive tender. This enabled our clients to appoint a contractor with cost confidence. Certain issues were visible from the inside and outside. For example, a large number of areas were damaged by water ingress and damp. We suspected there might also be some hidden problems, and unfortunately, the opening up works revealed a catalogue of issues (described in detail here). We were regularly attending the site to discuss possible solutions with the contractor and clients. Wealso ensured the Conservation Officer was aware of the latest developments, to determine the final scope and interventions required. With the construction phase underway, our ongoing role was that of lead consultant. This involved addressing compliance requirements and ensuring coordination of the design on site. So we liaised with Building Control and were in constant dialogue with the Conservation Officer regarding the sometimes competing standards of compliance v heritage. The Hotel is now finished and in operation https://blok-74.co.uk/ Do check out John’s blog on the progress and things we have found wrong with the building while on site, ‘For the love of lime’

St. James’ Square – London

St James' Sq in London retention of listed façade and redevelopment of internal structure

We worked with the contractor to deliver the thermal, airtightness and leadwork design packages on this project in St James Square, London. It involved the retention of the listed façade and complete demolition and redevelopment of the internal structure to provide new commercial and office space. As part of their construction works, we were employed to develop the overarching architects’ work as part of the Contractors Design Portion for the Thermal envelope. It included detailing of the walls to provide an insulated and air tight box to meet building regulations. This work included coordination with the existing historic fabric, meeting the needs of the structure (which had already been inserted into the building prior to our appointment) and ensuring that the fire stopping was feasible within the spaces allocated. Within this work, we also undertook interstitial condensation and U-Value calculations to ensure the building performance was met as part of the final SBEM calculations. Coordination of the thermal and airtightness and detailing with fire, structure, retained façade and the original architects design intent around the doors and windows, floors and ceilings was complex. Although it was a worthwhile and rewarding challenge which enabled the architects’ vision and the building’s history to both be intact.

Modular Hotel – Oxfordshire

Modular Hotel in Oxfordshire

Our client asked us to develop a modular hotel scheme for outline planning on this Brownfield car park site in Oxfordshire. The site had been underused and was earmarked within the local plan for development, but no one had unlocked the potential for this site. The goal was a 30-year term (for use of the site) and the design brief included: 80 rooms with a generous reception, incorporating floor-to-ceiling Crittall windows and timber cladding. Throughout the design phase, we aimed to create a building that was sustainable and modern. While being sympathetic to the local natural environment and the potential to accommodate a number of ancillary functions over and above the hotel itself.  Modular design and construction offers many advantages: cost certainty, improved build quality, less construction waste, speed of assembly on site, and reduced disturbance for neighbouring properties. The site had a number of constraints which informed our design. Raising the whole building and situating the parking below allowed us to ensure future flood resilience. It would also keep the limited parking local to the building. We chose a slightly longer form for the building as this would both maximise the internal area and prevent historic views from being obscured by a taller design. It also enabled us to nestle the building within the surrounding trees. Hotel room concepts were designed around a number of different module types. We’ve been looking at offsite manufacture and material resources for over 10 years, so we used our modular experience to create a building with the largest modules possible to reduce cost and build time on site. We then developed the site massing and overall layout to inform the final look of the site ready for outline planning.

Boutique Hotel – Kemptown

Boutique Hotel in Kemptown

We helped redevelop this small, boutique hotel in Brighton. It was our client’s first hotel project, having previously undertaken co-working / co-living spaces. They wanted to create “a new type of self service hotel offering; convenient digital self check-in, luxurious sleep experience, superfast WiFi, kitchenettes and beautifully designed bedrooms.” It would be remotely manned and monitored, removing the need for permanent staff on site. The hotel has been designed to be a fun space in the centre of town, with a focus on comfort and technology. Clients pre-book and receive access codes for the building prior to their arrival. Each room is furnished with an electronic tablet, providing guests with all they need to know about the accommodation as well as information about the local area. When the property was purchased, internal spaces were constrained by their existing sizes. The basement area was disjointed, walls were made of bungaroosh (really!) and generally needed upgrading to create usable spaces. The layouts needed to be redesigned to create new spaces for additional en-suite bathrooms on the basement and ground floor levels, as well as new bedrooms on the ground floor. The design phase was a collaborative approach; we worked with the client across a number of sessions and workshops to create the new spaces. Once this process was complete, the Cityzen team then set about detailing those spaces with upgraded materials to provide better acoustics to the new areas within the building (to meet Part E requirements of Building Regulations) and improve the user experience. Cityzen worked closely with MLM Building Control and the builders to ensure an improved level of safety and comfort, providing: sound proofing details to the new rooms, coordination for new fire alarms, a sprinkler system, emergency lighting, new wiring and drainage throughout. We also worked on a second hotel development project for this client – a Listed building with plenty of surprises in store so far (but we like a challenge!). Update April 2023:  This project made the Times list for one of the top 50 hotels in the UK for under £100 a night. https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/the-50-best-uk-hotels-for-under-100-a-night-b5t59x9mt  

Care Home – Brighton

Modern Design Care Home in Brighton

The Cityzen team have worked on a number of care homes, helping to create welcoming spaces for those in need of care. So we were approached to provide M&E design services for this project. We were initially told it was a basic house and that the services were in hand, but soon found out that the requirements for the building were far greater than for a domestic property. We designed the electrical and mechanical equipment for the home, from lighting, power, data, fire alarm system, AOVs and air source heat pumps, to underfloor heating, trace heating and water services. We also worked with the design team to ensure that the BREEAM assessment criteria were adhered to. We also undertook the energy modelling to ensure that building regulations were met. At Cityzen we always advise people to get us on board early as this helps to coordinate the design with the rest of the team and ensure that early BREEAM assessment points are met. Unfortunately on this project we were only appointed to do the M&E design once the building had already got up to first floor level, so we were playing catch up before we had even started! The M&E contractors, Baystar and A.J. Taylor, both performed excellently on site, responding to the main contractors needs to get the first fix items in and the building weather tight in a very short time time post-appointment. We also got to know the team from Woodhart Construction who did a great job of the ground works and brickwork.

Brighthelm Centre – Brighton

Brighthelm centre planning - Brighton

The Brighthelm Centre in central Brighton comprises a church, event space, cafe and offices. Cityzen were brought in to assess and fix their heating and ventilation systems; the boilers were old and falling over, the ventilation system didn’t seem to work and clients were complaining about being cold. The first thing we did was find out what was there and establish what was going on. The building was running four boilers, two of which would fail intermittently (these had been installed in the mid-80s, so they had been running for 25 years). The ventilation system in the roof and service risers was a minefield, which no one seemed to understand; initially we took three carrier bags of historic drawings away (over 200 drawings in the end, including superseded versions), scanned and collated them to understand the original designer’s layouts. Once that was done, we went back to site and checked the original design intent – what was actually on site – as inevitably things had changed, been moved, upgraded and removed. Most of the ventilation ductwork was in a usable condition but the rubber seals had perished and most of the motor control actuators had died, were broken or been removed. Our client had noted there had been some historic issues with the ventilation which no-one ever fixed. We also noted that the flow and return marked on the drawings and ductwork did not correspond to the way the system was working; subsequently the controls were fighting each other! Quite a simple game of ‘follow the flow’ flagged the error – why no-one had found this in over 20 years we’ll never know. The existing boilers were stripped out and replaced by a Vaillant EcoTech modular commercial system over the summer. Removing the old cast iron ones wasn’t a simple or clean task; the plumbing team did a great job without causing too much stress for the tenants of the building. The plant room was cleaned down and reconfigured for the new heating system (boilers, low loss header, plate heat exchanger and pipe circuits) to make the space easier to work in and control. All this work was done in 2015 and we’re very happy to report that a 21% reduction in gas usage was achieved in 2016, rising to a 40% reduction in 2017! Of course, there are various factors in play here: external weather, more improvements to the fabric of the building, etc. But we can say with certainty that our client now has a more efficient heating system which is working as it should with improved controls. A knock-on effect of these works alongside other building improvements is that Brighthelm has a higher occupancy and happier tenants within their building.  

Discovery Centre – Combe Valley

Combe Valley Discovery Centre container building

Cityzen was approached by QED and their client, Groundwork South, to develop an open site to provide a recreational and educational centre. The building was developed from 3 single use 40 foot containers. The containers were converted to provide office, communal activity and meeting spaces.   Cityzen took the concept and detailed the project to meet the client’s specification and Building Regulations. We undertook both the architecture and M&E design, then provided the manufacturers with the designs to speed up the offsite build. Once on site, we worked with Adenstar, ISOspaces and Cargotek to ensure the building services, ground works and the units met the clients specification and issues that arose on site.  For more information, read about the project on the QED website.

Solar Arrays – Brighton and Hove

Solar Arrays installed in Brighton and Hove

We assisted Brighton Energy Coop with their planning submissions, providing design advice and consultancy to enable them to install a number of arrays around Brighton & Hove. They are funded via community shares, and aim to give their members a return on investment, with anticipated rises each year from the feed-in tariffs and sale of generated electricity. The systems are currently running at 10% above the predicted generation levels, which will increase their return on investment. We continue to support the Brighton Energy Coop and are looking to help them reduce carbon emissions across Brighton and Hove through community energy schemes.