Status: Under Planning Consideration

The existing building has been in its current state for over +30 years and during this time there have not been any changes or improvements to the external facades or any improvement to the internal communal residential areas. This proposal seeks to improve (via repairs or introduction of sympathetic architecture) the appearance of the front and rear facades as well as the residential communal parts (e.g. improvements to the shop front, waste room, cycling storage, landscaped green roof). We believe that the above goes in line with one of the main objectives of the Newham Local Plan, which is to deliver high-quality developments to improve the quality and distinctive identity of a place.

The design intention for this front facade stems from the desire to recover the architectural character and unity to create a complete composition of the front elevation, making necessary repairs whilst also providing increased space to the residential stock, for which demand greatly exceeds supply. (i) In order to provide hierarchy to the elevation, there is a 7% reduction in the height of the new dormer windows (ii) The proposed mansard roof sets behind the front parapet and the roof profiles follow a 70:30 ratio, retaining this condition will minimise the impact of the additional storeys on the streetscape. (iii) The placement of dormer windows, which will only partially be in view of the passersby as they walk along the street, continues the contribution to the existing streetscape. (iv) the mansard is proposed in a manner that reflects the form, details and materials of the existing building (v) the existing chimney stacks and pits have been extended, in order to retain their presence in the roof cape (vi) the existing front sash windows and window sills will be repaired and redecorated if necessary (vii) the existing parapet brick-on-edge will be repaired (viii) The shopfront is proposed to be reordered in accordance with the Shopfront Design Guide SPG Newham.

We strongly believe that the proposed elevation has been designed in sympathy with the existing building’s heritage, causing no harm to the character of the host terrace due to its high-quality design and proportions. Whilst partially disrupting the existing roof form of this terraced row it would be a sympathetic and appropriate addition to the property with respect to its overall materiality and design. In fact, this development would set an appropriate design precedent for future developments of this street.

The shape of the inverted gable roof helps to reduce the physical volume of the extension and how it is perceived from the adjoining building, in particular from Malmesbury Terrace. It is often the case that massing can be significantly altered by the materials used, in this instance, we feel that the proposed black-stained silver top ash helps to delineate the juxtaposition of the main pitched roof (existing outbuilding) and its subservient structure (the ‘V’ roof) whilst the open jointed larch cladding softens the overall structure.