Planning permission now granted for a new residential building at Western Road Colliers Wood. It will provide 23 flats over eight upper floors with communal amenity and ancillary accommodation at ground floor level. It is a revised version of a scheme for 9 flats first granted at appeal. The design incorporates copper cladding referencing the large copper mills nearby on the River Wandle in the early 19th century.
Sited at the intersection of two main roads, the building will be experienced from both and from a moving viewpoint. The southern orientation suggested a faceted, three dimensional form which will look different in morning and evening light, from north and south to offer variety to commuters.
The inspector commented on the design:
'The proposed design …best viewed from the south… would be an interesting and thoughtful design with significant architectural quality. It would provide a varied and careful interplay of volumes and materials on an awkward site that might otherwise be unattractive. Thus, the redevelopment of the appeal site could create a marker for a change in... Read more.
Planning permission now granted for a new residential building at Western Road Colliers Wood. It will provide 23 flats over eight upper floors with communal amenity and ancillary accommodation at ground floor level. It is a revised version of a scheme for 9 flats first granted at appeal. The design incorporates copper cladding referencing the large copper mills nearby on the River Wandle in the early 19th century.
Sited at the intersection of two main roads, the building will be experienced from both and from a moving viewpoint. The southern orientation suggested a faceted, three dimensional form which will look different in morning and evening light, from north and south to offer variety to commuters.
The inspector commented on the design:
‘The proposed design …best viewed from the south… would be an interesting and thoughtful design with significant architectural quality. It would provide a varied and careful interplay of volumes and materials on an awkward site that might otherwise be unattractive. Thus, the redevelopment of the appeal site could create a marker for a change in the nature of the townscape, at the approach to Colliers Wood Town Centre.‘
The new building will reflect, diffuse and absorb sound. Faceting is elaborated at ground level, and raised planter beds will create a buffer between the communal amenity rooms and the outside at ground level, whilst still allowing an active frontage and a sense of overlooking to the road junction and pedestrian crossing.
The composition is symmetrical in that it achieves a balanced relationship between the individual elements, but the symmetry is not rigid. This gives greater variety and responds to the unique orientation and circumstances of the site and the views from surrounding areas.
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