Belmont Street

ECE Architecture

Transforming an underutilised brownfield site in Camden into 115 contemporary apartments, delivering technical expertise as Lead Consultant through complex challenges and innovative solutions.

As Lead Consultant for RIBA Stages 4-6, we elevated this town centre development from technical drawings to reality. Our comprehensive approach ensured the original design concept was achieved while introducing construction efficiencies and practical solutions throughout the delivery process.

This development for Countryside Partnerships comprises three residential blocks varying between 5-10 storeys, providing 26 affordable homes and 12 inclusively designed living spaces for wheelchair users.

Located adjacent to Chalk Farm Underground Station, the development maximises accessibility while creating an attractive, welcoming living environment. As Lead Consultant, we coordinated the technical design and delivery of the project, securing approvals from the Building Warranty provider, Building Control, and the local Planning authority.

One significant challenge was meeting planning conditions that prohibited visible services on the building façade while satisfying the Building Warranty provider’s requirements. Our technical team considered design solutions, integration brick columns, services voids and recessed brick detailing to seamlessly conceal rainwater pipes and balcony drainage systems within the façade.

We designed refined, technically coordinated details enabling apartment ventilation ducts to terminate discreetly at window soffits, with careful coordination of masonry support systems and integrated fire-stopping elements. The façade showcases decorative brick patterns and glazed brick features, creating architectural interest and visual relief.

During construction, changing market conditions necessitated apartment layout modifications – a considerable challenge as the concrete frame was already well progressed. Our team swiftly managed the redesign process, preparing and coordinating a Non-Material Amendment planning application while addressing on-site construction implications.

We implemented technical solutions that honoured the original design intent while accommodating new requirements, demonstrating our ability to navigate complex challenges with minimal disruption to the construction programme.

As our first collaboration with Countryside Partnerships, Belmont Street has become the foundation for an ongoing relationship, leading to several additional large-scale residential developments and showcasing our commitment to delivering exceptional outcomes through technical excellence.