The scheme has achieved planning permission in February 2022 and is now in construction.
The scheme was designed as a ‘family’ of 3 blocks set within a landscaped garden. The 3 blocks negotiate the change in character from the south (urban) to the north (suburban) in their scale, proportion, architectural treatment and relationship to grade. Combined, the site offers 134 high quality 1-bed, 2-bed and 3- bed homes.
The tallest building is 10 storeys, sitting at the lowest part of the site’s topography; the middle block is 9 storeys and the other building steps down further to a height of 6 storeys. The bold hexagonal geometric forms of the blocks are grounded in the steep topography of the site, knitted in by a terraced landscape that sits at the heart of the scheme and incorporates natural play.
To complement the surrounding character, the architectural treatment makes direct references to the materiality and detailing that defines Purley’s rich heritage.
The multi-tonal red brick palette produces 3 unique buildings which share a collective character. Horizontal banding further emphasizes the bold geometry, inspired by architectural detailing of historic buildings within Purley. Intricate patterning incorporated within metal detailing is informed by hanging tiles found on the fine suburban homes in the area.
922-930 Purley Way also presented opportunities to deliver biological and ecological enhancements across the site via the introduction of an extensive palette of vegetation, trees within the landscape and green roofs on top of the buildings.
The passive design approach for the scheme to minimise energy demand through the specification of high levels of insulation and air tightness and minimising thermal. The design of the homes is highly sustainable and exceeds Part L (building performance envelope and air permeability) by 69%, through the sensitive placements of windows and site orientation.