Secondary school WC/toilets Edmonton County School, Enfield

Posted on January 6, 2016January 6, 2016 by Matthew Hardcastle

The existing school toilets were not ideally placed around the school: no toilets were directly accessible from the playground; and all in need of refurbishment. Working with the school we came up with a plan to consolidate all of the toilets together with direct access from the playground and from the main school corridor.

At break time the toilets would only be accessible from the playground, and during lessons only accessible from inside. The toilets were arranged to allow for good direct passive supervision from the corridor and playground via glazed entry doors looking directly along the cubicle frontages and vanity area.

Pleasant hard wearing durable materials, fixtures and fittings were selected for longevity. For hand washing, solid surface built-in recessed hand wash dryer units (ref Wallgate Thrii) were installed to avoid the traditional high maintenance basins, taps, paper towel etc arrangement.

The work was carried out over the summer break for use in the new Autumn term.

Project completed Sept 2015. Awaiting final photos.

Powell Road, East London New mixed-use office/residential development, Hackney E5

Posted on January 5, 2016October 8, 2018 by Matthew Hardcastle

This new-build mixed-use project provides a mix of 1, 2 & 3 bedroom dwellings over 3 floors to provide 4 no. dwellings and a separate B1 business unit at ground floor level on a restricted urban infill site. All dwellings have been designed in accordance with the GLA Housing Standards SPG and Lifetimes Homes Standards. The ground floor dwellings has been designed to be fully accessible for wheelchair users.

The existing site is used for car repairs and is not appropriate for the location surrounded by residential properties and gardens. The site is in a poor state of repair and it has not been possible to secure the necessary investment and long term tenancy to avoid further decline. The site is more appropriate for residential use and will provide 4 much needed dwellings and a new business unit within Hackney.

The main building is set back from the footpath to align with the adjacent terrace. The front gardens provide a secure buffer zone to the frontage similar to the adjacent terrace. The front living spaces and balconies looking out onto the street contribute to the passive surveillance that already exists along the street. Low railings with climbing plants provide the enclosure along the front. The private frontages are provided to each of the ground floor dwellings separated by the common entrance. All of the dwellings are entered via the common entrance door. The door is glazed for good visibility, and set back to provide shelter from the weather.

Planning approval was secured in 2017.

residential architect hackney new build housing

House re-modelling, East London Terraced house in Hackney E5

Posted on October 19, 2015January 7, 2016 by Matthew Hardcastle

The existing house is a period 4 storey terraced house in Hackney East London. The householder approached us to re-model the entire house suitable for contemporary city living. A number of proposals were looked at re-organising the house to various extents. The final proposal shifts the stair to the rear rising through a full height lightwell using screen printed glazing to filter views and daylight in and out. A top floor solarium is added with external terrace for private city sun bathing during the summer months. All of the interior is fully re-modelled and contemporary in style to suit current lifestyles.

Private client

residential architects east london hackney

Gordon Lodge English Language School Twin Education Group, Eastbourne BN21

Posted on September 25, 2015October 8, 2018 by Matthew Hardcastle

We were asked to assess the feasibility of re-locating an existing language school to a new premises within Eastbourne and converting the existing building into residential apartments. The existing building is within a conservation area not far from the town center, and is a prominent double gable-fronted brick built detached 4 storey Victorian building set within a generous garden with a number of mature trees. Following consultation a planning application was submitted in 2013. Planning approval was achieved January 2014. Hardcastle Architects have since secured planning approval for the new school location within Eastbourne town centre.

Client: Twin Education Group. Planning approval achieved January 2014

Hadley Disabled Sports Association Arkley, Barnet EN5

Posted on September 25, 2015October 9, 2018 by Matthew Hardcastle

Hadley Disabled Sports Association are a registered charity who own a long-term lease on a sports ground in Arkley, Hertfordshire. Their aim is to continue to create more opportunities for disabled people to participate in sport.

They currently provide indoor exercise classes, recreational activities with a focus on Disability Football sessions.

This is a community based project for disabled sports for the refurbishment of existing facilities at Barnet North London. New changing rooms are to be built, flood lights and spectator seating provided to the football pitch, additional car parking to be providing with new landscaping, and the existing clubhouse is to be refurbished.

Client: Hadley Disabled Sports Association. Completed 2012

Hardcastle Architects Hackney RIBA London disabled sports

Hadley disabled sports plan

Walthamstow Allotments Community Shed North London Allotments

Posted on September 25, 2015October 10, 2018 by Matthew Hardcastle

A community funded and built shed for meetings at a North London allotment site. Funding was part donation of materials, and the building work was carried out by the allotment members.

Completed 2006

walthamsotw allotment shed drawing

Twin Group HQ and language school Greenwich Square, London SE10

Posted on September 24, 2015October 8, 2018 by Matthew Hardcastle

The Twin Group appointed Hardcastle Architects to design and oversee their New HQ and language school, and to relocate its London head office and school from its current location in Lewisham, to a brand new building in Greenwich Square, London SE10. Having been based in Lewisham for 15 years, the move is a huge step for Twin as a business and language school. It will mean that they can increase the number of students that they receive each year, and will be able to offer their students modern facilities in a new school close to Central London.

The new office and school is located on the recently-built Greenwich Square site, which is conveniently located just 15 minutes away from Central London on the train. This great new location means that Twin’s students will not only have easy access to the capital, but will also be able to quickly reach Greenwich’s famous attractions and iconic landmarks.

Twin’s vision is to provide students with great educational facilities and plenty of opportunities to have life-enriching experiences. The new school features 20 modern classrooms, a social area with student PCs and Wi-Fi, and co-located facilities including a leisure centre (swimming pool, gym and dance studio), a library and cafes, restaurants and bars.

Client: Twin Group, completed July 2015

Twin headquarters greenwich square office fit-out

Hardcastle Architects Twin headquarters greenwich square

Hardcastle Architects office fit-out reception

greenwich square office fit-out reception desk

Hardcastle Architects Twin headquarters greenwich square office fit-out

Hardcastle Architects office fit-out signage graphics

International Salvation Army HQ New office building with chapel and public cafe, London EC4

Posted on September 24, 2015January 7, 2016 by Matthew Hardcastle

Sheppard Robson were the architects for this building. Matthew Hardcastle was a Project Architect on this scheme whilst working for the practice. The Salvation Army building has a two-fold requirement for its headquarters: primarily it is the control centre of the largest voluntary care organisation in the world. Beyond this the building is in the perfect location to advertise to the masses passing by either on Queen Victoria street or the millennium bridge link between St Paul’s and the Tate Modern. The lower three floors comprise Public Cafe, exhibition space, board rooms, meeting rooms, executive offices, and chapel. The public cafe is particularly important as it is where staff working within the building are able to interact with the visitors. The upper floors of the building provide a more traditional open plan office environment.

The building was completed Oct 2004, widely published and received a number of awards.

SALVATION ARMY INTERNATIONAL HEADQUARTERS, PETERS HILL, LONDON, EC4 QUEEN VICTORIA STREET, UK, SHEPPARD ROBSON, FROM CAFE WITH CANTED COLUMNS

SALVATION ARMY INTERNATIONAL HEADQUARTERS, PETERS HILL, LONDON, EC4 QUEEN VICTORIA STREET, UK, SHEPPARD ROBSON, DUSK PETERS HILL MILLENNIUM BRIDGE AND TATE MODERN

Architects design studio Basement conversion, Hackney E5, London

Posted on September 24, 2015October 6, 2018 by Matthew Hardcastle

This is the excavation and conversion of an existing basement storage area below a Victorian terraced house in Hackney, East London. The basement was excavated to achieve sufficient head room and new structure installed to the support the house above. A drained cavity membrane and pump system was used to ensure the basement was fully waterproof. A new front lightwell and rear window provide a good level of daylighting and views out augmented with uplighters washing the walls and ceiling. A cement based wearing screed with underfloor heating was used for the floor finish. The studio was fitted out with bespoke built-in perimeter desking, storage wall and kitchenette.

Completed Jan 2013.

Hardcastle Architects Hackney design studio

Hardcastle Architects basement conversion

basement conversion contemporary design studio

Hardcastle Architects Hackney kitchenette

New Secondary School Library Edmonton County School, London

Posted on September 24, 2015January 6, 2016 by Matthew Hardcastle

Following the transformation of the Edmonton County School Bury Campus entrance, Hardcastle Architects were appointed to re-model the Cambridge Campus library. The library is a well-lit double height space that was originally used as a gym. There was (just) sufficient headroom to insert a new mezzanine level to provide additional reading and study space and increase the amount of shelf space for books. The new mezzanine and stair are fabricated from slim steel sections that remain exposed with a durable paint finish. The glazed balustrade and book shelves are arranged to provide good supervision from the librarian’s desk. Perforated timber panelling was used for the mezzanine soffit and rear wall for sound absorbency to reduce background noise.

Client: Edmonton County School. Completed summer 2014

Edmonton county school library refurbishment

Hardcastle Architects school mezzanine stairs

Hardcastle Architects structural glass balustrading

school education library refurbishment mezzanine

Hardcastle Architects Hackney model view

Evelyn Grace Academy Brixton, South London

Posted on September 23, 2015January 7, 2016 by Matthew Hardcastle

An Academy secondary school for 11—18 year olds for ARK Schools. This is a Zaha Hadid Architects building where Matthew Hardcastle worked prior to founding Matthew Hardcastle Architects and was the project architect from inception to completion.A linear 4 storey building, with an articulated appearance driven by the ‘Schools within Schools’ organization that sits comfortably in the mainly residential context. The building and landscape are intricately linked to maximize the minimal site space and create a series of varied external spaces. A running track runs across the site linking the main entrances and central reception.

This building won the Stirling Prize 2011.

Client: ARK Schools. School opened Sept 2010

Evelyn Grace academy playground landscape

Evelyn Grace academy architects reception

Edmonton County School, Enfield, London Bury Campus refurbishment

Posted on September 23, 2015January 6, 2016 by Matthew Hardcastle

Hardcastle Architects were commissioned by the Edmonton County School in January 2012 to re-design the entrance, reception, and staff spaces for their Bury Campus site. The intention was to re-lay out the spaces and provide an open welcoming reception with good quality work spaces for the administration and teaching staff. The building was stripped back to its structure and the majority of services removed. Asbestos was also identified and safely removed. The work was successfully completed on time and budget to a high standard of finish and handed back to the school in time for the second half of the autumn term.

Edmonton County School & Enfield Council, completed Oct 2012

east london hackney school enfield refurbishment

hardcastle architects school education reception

hackney school enfield reception education

architects london hackney school education

architects east london hackney school office

hardcastle architects school refurbishment staffroom

school refurbishment education staffroom kitchenette

architects east london hackney conference room

Yafforth, North Yorkshire Domestic residential extension

Posted on September 23, 2015March 30, 2020 by Matthew Hardcastle

An existing traditional detached house located in a small village near to Northallerton (North Yorkshire) was too small for the growing family. The householder is a well known interior design professor and has collaborated with Hardcastle Architects on previous projects around London. The side extension consists of two cubic forms that offset from each other and the original house and are clad in horizontal timber strips. The form, openings, glazing, and material treatment were developed to both contrast and engage with the original traditional rendered and pitched roof house. Extensive consultation with the local community and local planning department was carried out to ensure the planning process was successful.

Planning approval was submitted July 2015 and approved within the 8 weeks statuary limit. Construction is due to commence shortly.

hardcastle architects hackney east london

residential extension contemporary timber cladding

hardcastle architects yorkshire hackney east london

residential side extension timber cladding

Massie Road, Hackney E8 Pair of urban houses on infill site in East London

Posted on September 23, 2015March 2, 2022 by Matthew Hardcastle

This is a new development for two new houses on an existing site of 4 disused garages. Nestled to one side of a quiet cul-de-sac, close to London Fields in central Hackney E8, East London.

The massing is in response to the restricted nature of the site bounded on three sides by existing dwellings and gardens.

Two houses are provided with a lower ground level for the bedrooms and bathroom. The open plan living accommodation and terraces are at ground and 1st floor. Generous lightwells provide daylighting and ventilation to the rooms at the rear and lower level. The front is set back from the street to provide a gated private space for entry, refuse and cycle storage.

A set of plywood stairs climb beneath a roof light to the top floor space which can be used as a bedroom or study/work space. Sliding glazed doors open to a balcony with timber decking and larch cladding.

A warm coloured robust facing brick is used at ground level for durability. Larch cladding is used at the upper floor to alleviate the massing and respond to the adjacent gardens. The roofs are covered in sedum to provide some natural habitat on the site and for looking onto. Photovoltaic roof-panels contribute to the home’s energy requirements.

Private developer client. Completed 2013

hardcastle-architects-dwellings-east-london

New contemporary urban dwellings hackney E5

New contemporary urban dwellings hackney

Haus Sorge, Nürnberg Contemporary private house, Germany

Posted on September 23, 2015October 4, 2018 by Matthew Hardcastle

This is a collaboration with In.kognito Architektur for a private house on the outskirts of Nürnberg. The design responds to the clients particular requirements and to house part of their growing art collection. The house is organised around a double height central glazed courtyard with tree that is open to the outside. The living spaces are open plan arranged around the glazed courtyard at ground level, with bedrooms, studio and guest room at 1st floor, and a basement level for storage, services and a fitness room. Durable natural materials – timber, concrete, stone, glass – are used throughout.

Private client. Completed July 2015.

hardcastle architects modern house design

hardcastle architects contemporary house design

hardcastle architects exterior louvres terrace

hardcastle architects timber brise soleil louvres terrace

Ground floor plan

elevation cad drawing planning application

West Elevation

Double height dining space kitchen interior

entrance hall timber louvres hardcastle architects

cantilever stone stair treads glass balustrade

hardcastle architects timber strip cladding

Mahe, The Seychelles Hillside house with ocean view

Posted on February 13, 2015September 23, 2015 by admin

The client owns a plot on a steeply inclined mountainside site approximately 350m from the beach front. The primary views are out into the Indian Ocean towards an Island to the northwest. The client approached us to design a family house with guest accommodation. A number of different designs were prepared during the scheme design stage. This design is part open plan and part cellularised with the living accommodation on the top floor and the sleeping and guest accommodation below. The design uses a series of planes to define the enclosure with daylight and sun penetration carefully controlled using a series of louvred sliding panels.