Heron House
The scheme was for the conversion of the existing offices to residential accommodation comprising a total of 78 units. The existing buildings have been retained with additional floor area achieved by adding projecting bays which also help break up the mass. Roof extensions at 4th and 5th floor levels provide penthouse accommodation with roof terraces.
Three separate communal stairs and lifts are provided with all three stairs retained. An additional escape stair (also existing) is provided to one of the wings. Three secure cycle storage areas have been integrated within the building at ground floor level, providing a total of 56 cycle spaces.
The proposed external building materials, whilst being expressed in a contemporary way, have been carefully selected in order to compliment and reflect the historic tradition of Bedford and the Conservation Area.
There is a balance between the use of masonry and render to accentuate elements of the scheme and to unite parts of the building. The red brick reinforces the relationship of the building to the Conservation Area; the pale coloured white/cream render has been used to relate to the use of stucco and stone within the Conservation Area.
Varying sizes of windows have been used from full height windows to living rooms to smaller windows to bathrooms and kitchens, picking up on the fenestration of the surrounding Victorian architecture.