dRMM has announced that planning consent has been granted for its residential development at Coombe Road in south-west London for developer Bywater. The project will transform a brownfield site that has remained unused since the closure of Kingston Hospital’s former Regents Wing five years ago.
The scheme departs from conventional residential block design through the creation of three octagonal, tree-inspired buildings clad in varying tones of zinc. The design incorporates landscaped spaces surrounding recessed ground floors with faceted brick façades, helping to maximise light and views between the buildings.
The six-storey development will provide 150 build-to-rent homes and has been designed with occupant wellbeing in mind. Features include enhanced daylight, natural ventilation, the use of natural materials, and access to landscaped communal spaces. Residents will also benefit from shared facilities including a gym, lounge and workspace.
A lightweight timber structure will be used throughout the scheme, making the approval particularly significant given the relatively limited use of timber-framed residential buildings in England compared with Scotland. Timber-framed homes in England have increased from 9% to 15% of new homes over the past six years, but adoption remains substantially lower than Scotland’s rate of more than 90%.
Judith Stichtenoth, Director at dRMM, said: “This is a very exciting milestone and a testament to the great relationship we’ve built with Bywater. The project represents an important step forward for sustainable development in residential design both through timber construction, and re-use of materials from demolition on site. Clay bricks and original stone carvings from the former Regents Wing will be re-purposed in the ground floor facades and landscape, embedding the history of the site within the new design. We’re delighted that the project is expected to be on site later this year and hope it will help pave the way for many more timber buildings in the future.”
Source: drmmstudio.com
