Innovative modular rooftop extension provides additional affordable homes at Antony and Roderick House
With land in London at a premium and an acute need to provide new affordable homes, modular construction is being used to leverage airspace development on existing residential buildings.
At Antony and Roderick House in Bermondsey, South-East London, HKR Architects, given its vast experience in modular construction, together with Adstone Construction joined Apex Airspace to complete the detailed design and delivery of an innovative modular rooftop extension and infill development for Lambeth and Southwark Housing Association.
The enhanced scheme, on the two existing 1950s residential blocks, has created 30 new additional affordable homes and ensured existing residents could remain in their homes while the work was carried out. The initial concept design architect was HTA Design.
Kola Ojeyomi, Director of HKR Architects explains, “As a practice we have a wealth of experience using modular construction and are passionate about the many benefits it brings, not only unlocking opportunities for local authorities and developers but also helping existing residents.
“At Antony and Roderick House modular construction has enabled us to build in a tight urban space above existing buildings, with the time on site considerably less which reduces the disruption to residents still living there and ensures a high-quality factory finish for all homes.
“With the existing roof coming close to the end of its life, this presented Lambeth and Southwark with the opportunity to add additional affordable homes whilst helping improve the insulation and weathertightness of existing homes. A bespoke exoskeletal steel structure has also been included to carry the weight of the new modular homes.”
The new development has been designed to complement and maintain the integrity of the two original 1950s buildings whilst creating bookends to each, along with a central core connecting the two buildings and providing residents with a new lift and a double storey rooftop extension, adding character and identity to the existing building. All homes have their own private amenity space in the form of a garden or balcony.
Great care and attention has been taken to ensure the new homes have minimum impact on the external environment of Antony and Roderick House and its existing residents, with the bookends and central infills at five storeys in height, which is lower than many of the higher urban blocks within the neighbourhood.
Upgrades to the entrance lobby and a lift have also been added to enhance the public amenity space and make the buildings more appealing as residents arrive. The design also reflects the local architectural vernacular and complements existing buildings.
Landscaping has also been designed to improve the amenity of the homes, giving them an attractive new front garden, and providing leisure and relaxation spaces with small pockets of hardstanding framed by planting for tables, chairs, and pots. New footpaths have also been created to improve access around the development.
