Extension and refurbishment of 1930s block of flats and construction of new buildings on the outskirts of Cambridge to create 12 new flats of varied sizes.

A masterplan was developed for the whole site. The initial phase extends the existing building to provide 8 flats, with landscaped gardens and communal areas. The second phase will replace an existing bungalow with a 2-storey building, completing the street and providing 4 further new flats.

The scheme completely upgrades the existing sub-standard building and wraps around it a series of complementary additions: new shared stairs either side, small rear extensions, and a three-storey side extension.

The new extensions are clad in sharply detailed handmade tiles, with zinc faced upper elements, contrasting and complementing the more traditional symmetrical original building.

Detailed townscape analysis of the neighbourhood was undertaken to analyse the typology of the existing housing, including materials, articulation and form. Discussions with the planners were iterative and a range of alternative approaches were explored and discussed at length.

Matter’s detailed design was executed by local practice Mole Architects.

Client: Beekeeper Developments

Status: Planning Consent (Matter), Construction (Mole Architects)

Team: Matter Architecture, Cheffins Planning, Waldrams, Urbanedge, Gawn Associates, Mole Architects (executive architect)