Development Proposal

Our development proposal for the project includes creating a 6 storey, multi-use development containing office space, residential units, supermarket space, a parking system and small property management agency. Five storeys rest above ground, with one storey being contained below ground. The following table illustrates how this will be divided out, in addition to providing the approximate floor space for each aspect of the development.

The courtyard to the left is intended to be retained as an open-space courtyard and is not to be developed into a structure. This space will be used as bin storage for residential, office and supermarket purposes, as well as providing a space whereby the supermarket can receive deliveries for their store. Because the neighbouring property to the left of the site have access rights within this space, this limited the options that were available. A bin chute has been incorporated into the left side of the structure which deposits general waste, glass waste and recycling waste into their respective bins in order to reduce the need for the residential and office tenants from having to navigate from the opposite side of the property to the bin storage to get rid of waste.

The construction methods proposed for this development include the use of Pile Foundations to provide the basis for the development, with a Steel Frame construction; this involves creating a ‘skeleton frame’ from vertical and horizontally connected beams (The Constructor Org, 2022). This will be used in tandem with insulated concrete sandwich wall panels for the wall element; these consist of two sheets (panels) of concrete separated by a layer of insulation (Handorf, 2022). The concrete is a durable yet flexible material in addition to having strong thermal mass properties (OReilly Concrete, 2022). This supports the sustainability position that the client is aiming for, as appropriate insulation will lower heating costs by providing less heat loss combined with strong insulation. As the subject site is highlighted as being in a flood-risk area, these construction methods are strong in providing resilience against the structural issues and defects potentially caused by the possibility of flooding.

The proposed roof is pitched, using a blend of slate tiles interspersed with solar tiles; as the roof orientation faces a slight south-west angle, this creates an ideal environment to implement solar tiles (Green Business Watch, 2022). The solar tiles will provide an energy source for the property, supporting the sustainability environmental aspect of the property; however, it is noted that this will not be enough to provide energy for the whole property. As such, demand will be met via the installation of a ground-source heat-pump; this takes heat from the ground, pressurises it and uses it to heat a water system (Nu Heat, 2022). This will be installed vertically due to the space available, as the terrain below the property provides ideal conditions for generating heat for the property and to provide hot water, due to the sub-terrain temperature differentials (especially with the river running adjacent to the property (Net Zero Energy Buildings, 2022).