Racquet Court
Cityzen was commissioned by Hawes Construction and Eastbourne Council under a Pre-Construction Services Agreement to collaborate on the restoration of the historic Victorian Racquet Court. This project, part of the ongoing Devonshire Quarter works, aims to transform the court into a versatile performance space and a functional storage facility. Originally constructed in 1884, the Racquet Court is attributed to architect Henry Currey and reflects the exclusive character of Devonshire Park at the time, given that racquets was a niche, upper-class sport. Cityzen’s role has so far involved a comprehensive analysis of the building’s current condition to assess the scope of necessary repairs and interventions. We are tasked with ensuring that this Listed building meets modern Building Regulations and safety standards, preserving its historical integrity while securing its future use. Proposed Use The proposed vision seeks to reintegrate the Racquet Court into the Winter Garden complex and the broader community, providing a regenerative economic opportunity to support its maintenance and operational viability. The scheme introduces an internal mezzanine to create a central performance and multimedia space, complemented by a new studio above the Buccaneer pub restrooms to the south, as well as an amenity space and viewing gallery to the north. Externally, the design preserves the building’s believed original detailing, while internally, the restoration retains key historical architectural elements; such as stair balustrades, segments of original flooring, and structural features, while updating the space for modern functionality. This approach honours the heritage of the 140 year old Racquet Court while enhancing its utility for contemporary needs.
University of Sussex Laundry Building – Brighton
We worked with Cheesmur to develop the original planning drawings from McConvilles Surveying to generate a set of Building regulation drawings as part of their D&B contract. 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. Speed of build and a short programme was everything so the discussion and thought around the most time efficient and cost effective solution was highly important. Pre-fab solutions and SIPs were considered, but the manufacturing timescales would not meet the required programme in this instance. Between the contractor, structural engineer and ourselves we arrived at the solution of the raft concrete slab, timber framed system. This took account of the shallow services and existing site conditions, speed of build required, availability of materials and cost. During the design phase we coordinated the design between the structural and M&E engineers, to ensure there were no clashes on site and to minimise on-site problems. The building was modelled and detailed in Revit to ensure a coordinated package for the contractors, and to minimise site risks. From this, we were also able to create Visuals for the clients to show what the building would look like for their inhouse marketing and communications. The building was handed over ready for the Autumn 2022 semester.
River Beach School Extension – Littlehampton
Working with the contractor, our role was to deliver a small extension to River Beach Primary School school in West Sussex to provide a new classroom and changing room spaces. The extension was tying into an existing school building (Food tech room) and altering the means of escape which required consideration and coordination with building control and the clients around their existing fire strategy and usage. The new flat roof construction was to junction with an existing flat roof which contained asbestos, throwing up some additional challenges around the detailing and construction process.
Social Housing – Brighton
We worked with our client to develop the original planning drawings from Lomax Design to generate a set of tender drawings. As well as a specification that the QS could send out to tender for pricing. We worked closely with Lomax to ensure their design intent was kept and with Southdown to ensure their needs for quality and durable products were met. We were embedded in the design team, coordinating the design between the structural and M&E engineers. The building was modelled and detailed in Revit to ensure a coordinated package for the contractors and to minimise site risks. An NBS was created to ensure that the basis of the design was clear and no key elements were missed. Unfortunately due to market changes the project was not built out.
Manor Green Primary School – Crawley
We worked with our client, Cheesmur Building Contractors, to deliver the design for their design and build contract . Keeping within the already approved scale and layout, Cityzen developed the designs into a construction package. We adapted our standard “designing for construction” process, listening to our contractor client and delivering the construction details that Cheesmur needed to quickly get to site. Which enabled them to build the extension with a minimal amount of questions and site issues. The extension was built during lockdown and was open for the Autumn 2020 term and the team has had great feedback on the building.
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
Schools Upgrade – London
Most recently, we were part of the team developing an administration block and undercroft within the school, a project that included all mechanical and electrical services. We had a very tight brief to design and get contractors to change over boilers and install a new innovative lighting scheme. The development included a green wall, rainwater harvesting and LED lighting throughout. We also developed the BREEAM pre assessment and energy modelling. The new lighting scheme was required for an undercroft that linked one part of the school to another. The client wanted something fun and creative for this space, which could otherwise have become dark and oppressive. So the challenge was to develop a scheme that would not only light a dark utility space, but also inspire its users: staff, school children and parents. Budget and time constraints added to the pressure of getting the right solution installed and tested within a two week period over the Easter holidays, so it would have been easy to just use a standard lighting design. Innovation was key to this project, both in terms of the layout and design. A cost-effective design for the undercroft was proposed, which used timber strips that created angles. This provided the perfect opportunity for Cityzen to design a randomised lighting pattern. The lighting scheme utilises LED strips in a broken pattern within aluminium channels between wooden slats, together with colour change LED strips at the top of each column. The scheme makes use of sensors and controls to ensure the system only runs when required, lowering overall running costs. The colour change is controllable via a phone app and wall-mounted controllers, allowing school staff to control the atmosphere themselves as required. On another occasion, we were asked to design and oversee the installation of a large PV array, to help the school cut their base load running costs and their carbon emissions. This has helped the school with their commitment to reduce their impact on the environment and gives them a practical and educational discussion piece, which will leave a lasting impression on the children. Initially, we were approached to help with a new substation connection, mains upgrade and new metering. This was required due to the gradual expansion of one of the schools and old electrical services tripping. We designed, procured and oversaw the works. Schools require all their works to be done out of hours and in school holidays, therefore they have to be planned and carried out within strict timeframes as well as budgets. The works were performed over a three week Christmas break period, and included a very tight schedule of ground works, electrical works and redecoration to ensure the school would be open for the first day of term.
Container Housing – Brighton
This project was developed by WCEC architecture and QED developments for Brighton Housing Trust (BHT). We were invited to help as we have experience with container buildings and knew all the parties involved. We fed into the planning and building control submissions to ensure the scheme met all the criteria set down by the Council. The provision of 36 container units would provide additional accommodation for BHT as part of their housing portfolio, helping people from all walks of life get into housing which they may have not been able to do otherwise. Planning consent was granted for a five-year period for Richardson’s Yard, at which point the project can be relocated to another site. We’re thrilled to have been able to donate our time to such a worthwhile project.