Working to incorporate a 6m height difference across the site, we developed designs for 56 new build apartments that complemented the Victorian architecture included within Phase 1, as well as realising the value of a unrealised piece of land.
Following the development of Royal Sutton Place Phase 1, the difficult piece of small car park remained within the masterplan for the site.
Wanting to realise its potential, we helped them develop a livable location for residents at Royal Sutton Place by creating designs for56 new build apartments on the former Sutton Coldfield Council house car park.
The developers wanted a bold piece of contemporary architecture that drew inspiration from the local context, as well as the architecture of Royal Sutton Place Phase 1.
The objective was to understand the site well enough to realize the potential for this land.
There were a number of challenges to overcome: the site was on top of a railway tunnel serving the adjacent Victorian station; it sat amongst mature trees important to the existing King Edwards Square; and the 6m height difference across the site from King Edwards Square to Railway Road.
The changes in ground levels allowed us to reflect on the material quality of the cobbled pedestrian ramp, as well as achieve a satisfactory relationship with the site’s built surroundings.
In order to understand the site and the local context we carried out detailed site analysis studies in order to generate a site-specific piece of architecture.
By understanding and working with the mature landscape and steep changing levels we were able to use our skills as architects to develop a project which had its own identity, but also complemented Phase 1.
Working towards the aspirations of Sutton Coldfield High Street Conservation Area to create ‘architectural detail of high quality where the design starts from a heavy base and rise to become visually lighter.