Form Architecture

Form Architecture News

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Chelmsford Carriage Co.

Works are progressing on site of the former car showroom and workshop which is located within the Greenbelt. Planning was gained provide six new detached family houses. The positioning of the new dwellings in a linear pattern reflects the ribbon of existing built form found in this rural location. The continuation of properties along the road, each individually designed, reinforces the nature of the surroundings containing a simple residential thread which has developed over time.

The use of varying styles and traditional materials gives the development an instant history, instead of challenging the local style. Introducing buildings of differing heights provides a mix of character whilst responding to the changing topography of the site and adjacent built forms.

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East Thurrock Road

We have gained approval for the re-development of a historic electrical showroom by creating 9 new residential units with a self-contained commercial space at ground floor to allow retention of the existing electrical business.  

This challenging site has a significant change of level, requiring a stepped facade to follow the falling topography from the front to the rear of the site. The resulting form reduced the impact of the proposals on the lower rise buildings to the rear of the site, whilst creating a taller focal point on the front corner road junction. The design also takes advantage of this change in level to provide under croft car parking to service the residential and commercial uses in an area with restricted parking facilities.

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The Meeting Room

We have gained planning approval for the demolition of the meeting room and the construction of 3No. x 2 bedroom & 1 No. x 1 bedroom apartments with parking. The site had 2 flatted development schemes recently refused however we were able to overcome the points of refusal. The building responds to the local pattern of development and provides much needed housing on a brownfield site in a sustainable location less than 5 mins from the tube.

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Hare Lodge

We have gained permission for the demolition of a single detached dwelling with the construction of 4No. x 2 bedroom & 4No. x 1 bedroom flats. Due to the site being located in the Gidea Park Special Character Area there had been numerous refused applications, however we were able to overcome these issues with a comprehensive scheme that provided a building that maintained the character of the area. Works are now progressing on site.

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Highland Avenue

We have gained approval demolition of an existing bungalow and the construction of two townhouses with basement level accommodation.

 The brief was to maximise the site area by creating 4 storey dwellings, to achieve this we extended the basement under the existing garden area and also utilised the roof space for living accommodation.

We did not want to challenge the architecture of the adjacent imposing Edwardian properties so a contemporary aesthetic of facing brickwork and full length windows with bronze sculptural balustrades was employed.

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Balgores Lane Approval

We have gained planning approval for the construction of 9 apartments on the prominent Drill roundabout site. The apartments consist of 8 No.x2 bedroom units and 1 No. x 1 bedroom, the contemporary design creates stylish duplex units with inset terraces and roof gardens at loft level.

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South Road Development

The proposed residential redevelopment of a commercial site in South Road, Ockendon to provide 3 residential units has been approved by Thurrock Council. The site contains a derelict bakery that is in need of demolition and is unfit to reuse as a conversion, the replacement building however intends to use savalaged yellow london stock bricks from the existing building to carry on the legacy of the site. The new design takes an industrial aesthetic from the original use and the asymmetric roof has been informed by the roof of the existing building to maintain a familar streetscene. The black stained cladding is a found material in the locality and references the agricultural history of the area.

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North Street Residential Development

Form Architecture have recently gained planning approval for 7 residential units in North Street, Romford. The site forms part of a commercial premises that has been encapsulated by a residential development with the construction of an adopted road. We utilised this new condition and designed the new building to front this access road so that we would only require a new crossover thus reducing the construction access costs to the client. The secure, gated building is a car free development due to its proximity to the town centre, we have also provided inset terraces to provide private amenity spaces for residents. The development will provide a green sedum roof to comply with planning policy for sustainability and to help the reduction of energy consumption.

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Subterranean House

Form Architecture have gained planning permission for the construction of subterranean house in Romford. This compact site is adjacent to residential gardens and required a sympathetic design as overlooking and overshadowing issues would prohibit the approval. The design utilises basement accommodation with a lightwell courtyard and a single storey structure at ground level to prevent any impact to adjacent properties. The light industrial location of the site informed the use of a robust mesh cladding to integrate with its surroundings. The house has a ‘green’ sedum roof to improve the bio-diversity of the site and to provide a sustainable form of rainwater drainage.

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Mile End Road

Form architecture in collaboration with KSA have gained planning permission for the extension of a grade II listed building on Mile End Road. The site is adjacent to Alms Houses designed by Sir Christopher Wren and required a high level of design to justify building next to these historic buildings. The use of a frameless structural glass cladding system provided a contemporary addition to accentuate the age between the constructions. The new residential accommodation has been designed with an insert roof terrace to provide private amenity space. Works on site have now completed.

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The Triangle

Form Architecture have gained planning approval for The Triangle Apartments in Gants Hill, Redbridge. This new development will provide 9 new homes of a mix of tenure together with commercial/retail space to create a sustainable and vibrant development that will provide a genuine contribution to the regeneration of the local area. This unique development provides a large communal roof terrace of 196m2 and secure parking with a vehicular turntable for safe egress.

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St Marys Lane Development

Form Architecture have recently gained planning approval for the construction of 9 No. x 2 bedroom units on the site of a former medical centre in St Marys lane, Upminster. The site is located adjacent to historic clock tower and the design was commended by English Heritage and the Local Authorities conservation officer. The development is of a high specification with underground parking, communal gardens, private balconies and roof terraces. Works will begin on site in early 2016.

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Planning Granted - Form Architecture

We have been granted planning permission to extend our office and create a modern open-plan space to the front of the site.

The extension forms a new focal point to the triangular site giving a 180 degree outlook around the corner plot. Chamfered edges, a modern bay window, new landscaping and a green roof improve the street scene with elegant architectural gestures.

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The Four Gables

Planning has been approved for a rear extension with basement conversion in Upminster, Essex. The extreme site levels enabled us to exploit and enhance the clients aspect over their garden and to the views beyond. A roof gable was used as a motif to create a low impact roof-line as well as providing north-facing roof lights above the new kitchen space.

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Gidea Park Renovation

Building Work Completed - We were approached by a private client to renovate and extend their existing home. The original home was a dated 1930s detached house in Gidea Park. In response to the clients brief have designed a contemporary renovation with a two-storey side and single storey rear extension with simple and contemporary features.

Above: Photos of the house before and after the renovation.

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Boyd Hall Update

Construction of nine new dwellings in Upminster is nearing completion! Each four bedroom house was individually designed to reflect the style of the original Boyd Hall that previously stood on site. The design of the varitey of houses were highly commended by Havering Planning Committee. 

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Down Farm

We have recently submitted a planning application at Down Farm in Stansted to create a community of five new four bedroom family housing. The aim of the proposals is to create a low impact Ecodevelopment with housing whichachieves a Code 6 sustainability rating. The pattern of development in the wider surroundings is characterised by small clusters of farm houses and ancillary buildings which are arranged around a courtyard reflecting the 'farmstead' nature of the local area. This 'farmstead' character has been used as a design tool to inform each individual proposed plot.

Above: Site Overview revealing the 'farmstead' character of each plot.

Above: CGI of entrance track in to one of the proposed dwellings.

Above: CGI looking out of the site providing a view of three of the proposed dwellings.