Located in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, between Whitechapel and Limehouse, our client tasked us with transforming an existing two-storey building into affordable apartments for first-time buyers.
The building occupies the entire site, extending to its perimeter. Its corners are designed to be prominent, echoing the historical grid pattern of the surrounding area. The height of the Exmouth Residence has been carefully calibrated to complement the existing streetscape, featuring a diverse combination of heights and volumes. A setback on the ground floor not only enhances the streetscape’s visual appeal but also serves to articulate the building’s massing into three distinct sections: the plinth, the body, and the crown. The plinth, designed to activate the street, incorporates ground floor entrances. The crown, set back from the building’s perimeter, allows for terraces at this level.
The Exmouth Residence thoughtfully considers the area’s character and materiality. Its design reflects Stepney’s distinctive identity, embracing traditional red brick, gracefully proportioned facades, and a consistent composition of windows, resulting from a functional design and construction approach. To enhance visual appeal, the façades feature handmade bricks, concrete accents, relief elements, and varying depths, all ageing gracefully over time. The material palette of the setback on the fourth floor changes to enhance overall harmony.
In addition, the Exmouth Residence is designed to be energy self-sufficient, reflecting our commitment to sustainability. The building’s roof is outfitted with high-efficiency solar panels, significantly contributing to the building’s energy requirements. We have incorporated energy-efficient windows throughout the development to minimise heat loss and reduce energy consumption. The inclusion of green roofs not only enhances the aesthetic appeal but also contributes to better insulation and biodiversity. Furthermore, the building features rainwater harvesting systems, which collect and reuse rainwater for landscaping and non-potable uses. These sustainable features reduce the development’s environmental impact and offer long-term benefits to the residents and the surrounding community.
Design: TMD
Location: Exmouth St, London, United Kingdom
Category: Residential, Commercial
Status: Current
