Secret Projects

We have worked with a number of stakeholders on one project, which we can’t tell you about. Any names and places have been removed. But we can say what we have done, which was provide Architectural and M&E services for the client, their stakeholders and the contractor. This has included fact finding for the original systems, getting technical surveys done to create new O&M documentation, developing new systems for the site and improving the infrastructure. We also checked the contractor’s designs and coordinated new systems for the clients’ new event space. We worked closely with the client’s team to coordinate the old systems and provide new AV, security, lighting , heating and power supplies to various buildings within the site. We worked alongside the client’s Architect to provide M&E services in a number of the new buildings. And we have worked as Architectural Consultants on other schemes within the site. Our team worked with the clients’ stakeholders to provide oversight on all the projects taking the Lead Designer Role, ensuring the new buildings on site were coordinated between the various parties involved. Our team undertook survey work on one of the existing listed properties to look at the functionality and put forward a new lighting control system. This was then retro fitted within the building in a very tight timescale whilst the occupier was away. We have continued to work with this client to provide various Architecture and M&E projects from 2019 and into 2022. If you want to know what we can do for you or your clients let us know. We have worked with a number of HNW and UHNW clients over the years and can offer various services that can provide discretion and security. With the goal of getting the job done, no matter the task or request (within reason!) These are some of the things we have had over the years: Client flying in by helicopter later today for 15mins? Can you make a meeting? Yes that’s the real art! But that was in the Tate modem last week? Oh, you lent it to them….. Can we move those pots while we adjust the lighting positions, oh they are worth half a million, ok but get a specialist in. How many cars? Oh, and all red ones, ok then. Ballet room? That’s a first. DJ booth, and everything sound proofed? 12kW speakers? Ok, we’ll upgrade the loadings and the acoustics. Underground security room with Generator set and a squash court, all under that listed barn? Ok then. Secret Police on the grounds and Ex Gurkha’s are site security, ok we’ll play nicely. We need to be background checked, then security checked as we enter and leave, yep not a problem.
Rooftop Development – Hove

We designed this pair of modern dwellings for the 2019 ‘Raise The Roof’ competition. Our rooftop development is deliberately distinct from the design of the existing building. It seeks to enhance historic features, whilst at the same time add its own architectural merit. This project exemplifies how Cityzen responds to a client brief and the factors that can influence our design choices. The competition sought “proposals for transforming redundant urban roof spaces to new uses, formed predominantly from OSB. This could be residential, mixed-use, commercial, or for communal/leisure purposes.” We chose residential, as Brighton & Hove Council has set a target of 11,300 additional homes (minimum) across the city by 2030. This is a considerable challenge given the specific natural constraints to the city (the sea to the South, South Downs National park to the North, and surrounding towns to the East and West). Appropriating urban roof areas is a way to maximise delivery within the city and increase its urban density. It would achieve much-needed housing stock without adding to the urban sprawl, and make use of existing infrastructures such as public transport routes (reducing car dependency). Rooftop developments provide new views of the city landscape, giving more residents a connection with nature (sea/sky/the Downs). We were free to use an existing building of our choosing. Our nominated property was an Edwardian villa with available rooftop space for residential accommodation. It is one of many suitable flat roofs across the city, making our proposal viable on a larger scale. The brief stated “pre-fabrication, panels or CNC fabrication may all be considered. Other materials may be used to clad and fit out the proposal but structural integrity is intended to be predicated on the use of Sterling OSB Zero.” Sterling OSB Zero has lightweight yet high strength features, making it ideal for a sustainable, independent self-supported structure over an existing building. Our design uses OSB based modular SIPs for the roof, walls and floors. This offers excellent structural performance and, at the same time, constructive lightness. SIPs have increased thermal, acoustic and air tightness properties, so they also help with the building’s overall performance. The new accommodation sits lightly over the existing building, recessed from the front façade, creating a front terrace with views to the sea. A central open patio provides a common space for the two dwellings. The patio forms the core of the internal layout, giving light to the rooms that are organised around it. Circular skylights feature in all of the bedrooms, giving a sense of space and connection to the outside world. The new dwellings would be delivered to site in pre-fabricated panels and craned into place. The flooring consists of an independent grillage system to raise the rooftop development over the existing roof, to allow for drainage and services runs. Our design specifies a zinc finish for the roof, installed over breathable membrane and fixed with stainless steel clips. The exterior walls are clad with Lunawood Thermowood. Modular staircases provide independent access, as required by the brief. Offsite construction in a factory environment reduces errors and doesn’t suffer from bad weather delays. This, along with quick assembly onsite, would minimise disturbance to the neighbours living below. Note: designs were not required to adhere to current building guidance. For more information about ‘air-rights buildings’ take a look at this article from Designing Buildings Wiki.
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.
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/
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.
Low Carbon Strategy – Southern England

We captured data about the carbon efficiency of Southern Co-op buildings to help the retailer make informed decisions about its building portfolio. They are bound by the government’s CRC scheme to monitor and report its carbon and we are committed to helping them reduce their energy usage. Changes to the thermal performance of their buildings, lighting, heating, cooling and refrigeration can all make a difference to the way the buildings use energy and produce carbon. The remit of this project meant site surveys of 200 stores and funeral care buildings in a two-year period. An exciting challenge that we completed, giving us an insight into their building stock and enabling us to collate data from each site and map out a strategy for them. We used our survey data to produce benchmark information, services reports, capital expenditure information and renewables feasibility. This gave them informed choices about how each building within their portfolio is performing, and what the potential is for renovation or retrofit.