Luxury New Build – Hove
We are proud to have worked with Farshid, an internationally acclaimed architect, to deliver her vision and concept for a new home to construction level detail. Acting as the Executive Team, we provided technical design services (both architecture and building services engineering) for this luxury new build project, moving it from RIBA 3 stage to the end of RIBA 4. The pre-construction stages are now concluded. We worked with the FMA team to protect Farshid’s overall vision and provide design solutions, ensuring that the aesthetic requirements could be met by manufacturers who were asked to quote on the project. We translated a concept of “cascade” into a robust set of construction drawings for the luxury new build, enabling a competitive tender to be run. The resulting tender returns were comprehensive and firm, with provisional sums limited only to final finishes not yet decided by the client. This was FMA’s first UK domestic scale project and they now had a UK-compliant construction package to move forward with.
New Build – Lancing
We worked with two sets of clients to provide them with a pair of new dwellings to replace their existing homes. Our brief was to create lifelong homes where they can live with flexibility for the future as they get older. The key aspect of the project was to ensure a view of the sea from the properties as, before work was complete, they only had a view from the attic space and wanted to maximise this. We developed the concepts and final design with the clients. Initially, we drew a number of sketch schemes to start the process until we hit on the shape; a strong modern look with a few nods to a nautical theme. Having submitted an application to the Planning Department in early 2018, we negotiated with the planners and neighbours throughout the planning process to secure a positive decision in October 2018. Due to the position of the site (it being on the main seafront road), we had to develop the design with RGP traffic consultants and Acoustic Associates. Using their input, we were able to ensure safe parking and access. As well as incorporating noise mitigation strategies to ensure the buildings provided quiet sleeping accommodation. After securing Building Regulations full plans approval, we handed the project over to our clients to start the build. We were then on the end of the phone to help our clients when required and provided sign-off support to meet the mortgage lender’s requirements.
Boutique Hotel – 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
Major Development – London
We were approached by RTKA to provide specialist consultancy services for the development of Admiralty Arch, a Grade I Listed structure. Planning permission was being sought for i) change use from offices to a hotel with associated bars, restaurants and catering facilities; ii) construction of a series of basements for spa, fitness and leisure facilities, ballroom and private dining; iii) construction of further basement levels providing plant space. The turnaround time for our input was incredibly tight. We were engaged with just weeks to spare to complete the sustainability aspect of the application. The proposed development was classed ‘Major’ by the London Plan, and the project as a whole aimed to achieve a BREEAM rating of ‘Very Good’. Energy consumption was already high in relation to the existing use of Admiralty Arch, due to the poor thermal performance of the Listed building fabric. A change of use, combined with increasing the internal floor area, would increase the level of consumption. Yet we needed to demonstrate energy reductions in order to secure a ‘Very Good’ rating, and achieve an acceptable compromise between conserving energy and preserving the historic building fabric and appearance for future generations. Cityzen spent a number of weeks modelling the existing building, taking the architect’s Revit model and using iSBEM software to review all feasible options. These options included making use of the local district heating network (considered a low and zero carbon technology) and a site CHP plant, operating both seasonally. We also factored in a highly efficient heating and cooling system, along with heat recovery from the proposed mechanical ventilation. LED lighting was specified to all front-of-house guest areas, with occupancy sensors throughout. There was an opportunity for additional insulation (in appropriate parts of the building) as well as upgrading the existing fabric and installing secondary glazing. A roof-mounted PV array would provide a proportion of the annual energy requirement. Part of our remit involved working with Westminster Council to ensure that the scheme met with their approval. We also liased with Whitehall District Heating Network to future-proof the design (to accept supplies from a potential future heat network). In collaboration with the architects and overarching M&E designers, we provided multiple iterations to reach the desired result. And an illustrative EPC achieved an ‘A’ rating for the new build aspect of the development. The final iteration was incorporated into the London Plan report and submitted to Westminster Council with supporting evidence to gain a positive outcome. Due to the high-profile nature, size and scope of this project, design and construction works are still ongoing.
Refurbishment – Southwick
This was a very run-down property needing complete refurbishment. We helped our client throughout the refurbishment process, resulting in a modern and spacious family home. The property had a rear timber lean-to for the kitchen, and a plastic roofed timber conservatory (the location of the toilet) – “a loo with a view”! Our services included architecture and space planning which enabled our client to visualise the space and give him confidence to develop the scheme. We gained a Certificate of Lawful Development for the new dormer. Planning Permission was required and obtained in order to demolish the existing conservatory and replace it with a rear terrace. We also obtained Building Control approval, demonstrating the compliance of the project and the enhanced performance of the new fabric. The whole building was gutted top to bottom and provided with a transformed kitchen and living space on the ground floor. The first floor was rearranged to create a large family bathroom and good sized bedrooms and study. The new dormer enabled a master bedroom and en-suite. Externally the garden has been cleared and a new lawn laid together with a new drive and parking.
Care Home – 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.
New Build – Southwick
We worked with our client to gain planning and building regulations approval to build a three-bedroom property on this infill site. Planning was gained in 2017 to provide a new building that was in keeping with the local vernacular and would not look out of place within the street scene. The building regulation approval was for a traditional construction method, but we looked to make it a modular build system. This would enable our client to minimise the impact on the neighbours and reduce the offloading as the building is fronted by one of Brighton’s main arterial routes.
Emergency Accommodation – Acton
We worked with QED to develop this container solution to create emergency accommodation for homeless people in Acton. It was a tough challenge, taking just 10 months from concepts to tenants moving in. So we’re proud to have played a part in helping Ealing council provide temporary housing for up to 280 people who would otherwise be in B&Bs. The whole design was for a temporary use; it had a 7-year site use, at which point the units will be taken to another site (the agreement was for a 23 day dismantle of the site to completely remove the buildings and the services). The containers themselves each have a specific number and log book, which allows future reuse and flexibility of which containers can be joined together in the future (this helps with logistics and turn around time in the future). Each unit had been used as a single trip container from China prior to it being turned into a dwelling; single-use containers give some consistency in the unit size, floor height and general quality, rather than the varying sizes that are in the market. The UK, in general, is a net importer of containers so the resource would either be shipped back empty, be scrapped or stockpiled. We produced 315 drawings to enable this project! We built a site model using Revit (3D modelling) to work out the site levels and ensure coordination of the services and walkways. Check our VR Panorama here: http://pano.autodesk.com/pano.html?url=jpgs/7ac7b6d5-dcab-4ac3-a5c5-3e877453ac84 We designed the internal layouts, thermal build up, and detailing of the different unit types ready for manufacture. We worked with private building control and fire specialists to check the design prior to the units going to site. We also designed utilities for the site to provide water, power and lighting. We liaised with suppliers to ensure connection dates were met. Our role also included coordinating the various parties involved in the project – the developer, two manufacturers, the site contractors, the design team, and the utilities providers. Press coverage: https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/The_changing_identity_of_London_communities_in_the_face_of_rapid_urbanisation https://www.brighton.ac.uk/about-us/news-and-events/news/2017/12-20-home-for-christmas.aspx https://ciat.org.uk/resource/member-leads-largest-uk-temporary-accommodation-project.html http://www.theargus.co.uk/news/15799117.Emergency_homes_are_a_big_winter_lifesaver/ https://www.qedproperty.com/latest/ealing-homeless-families-and-low-income-housed-for-christmas http://www.constructionmanagermagazine.com/news/offsite-delivers-uks-largest-temporary-accommodati/ https://www.bigissue.com/news/uks-biggest-shipping-container-village-opens-homeless-people/
Innovation Studios – Medway
Cityzen was approached by QED and their client, Medway Council, to develop a previously disused space adjacent to the River Medway. The project formed part of Innovation Strood and the council’s wider regeneration of the area. The buildings were developed from single use 40 & 20 foot containers. The containers were converted to storage space, 15 offices, communal facilities and meeting spaces. Cityzen took the existing 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 two manufacturers with the designs to speed up the offsite build. Once on site, we worked with JCJ so they could do the final cladding and services connections to each unit. Innovation Studios Home page
Listed Refurbishment – Ditchling
An award-winning refurbishment and extension of a Grade 2 listed property in the Sussex Downs. This project was entered into the 2018 LABC South East Building Excellence Awards and 2018 Sussex Heritage Trust Awards…and won both! Between ourselves and the contractor, Nutshell Construction, we designed and put back a lot of historic fabric, replaced historic elements and repaired the building to last another few lifetimes! Originally built as two cottages in the late 1700s and extended in 1929, Cityzen has re-balanced the principal rear elevation to bring some symmetry and stature back to the building. It took us a considerable amount of time to get through the planning phase, and almost two years on site. Every room has been refurbished and renewed, various structural elements fixed, wells found, and steels added to support the old structure. The outbuilding was unstable so had to be rebuilt and an archaeology team employed. You name it, it needed it! Photographs by Simon Callaghan & Cityzen