De Matos Ryan is nearing completion of a mixed-use development on Penrose Street south of Elephant and Castle in Southwark. The development is due to complete in April 2017. The project re-purposes a redundant set-painting workshop into a development of nine residential units above commercial premises. The building sits within a ??train-scape?? of high-rise developments along the railway line, cushioning lower-rise residential neighbourhoods beyond. The sustainable re-use of existing building fabric, the redevelopment of once marginal boundaries and the resolution of complex site conditions are all a function of needing to find new opportunity within an increasingly dense urban context. The strategy has been to build a supporting frame from within the brick shell prior to making external amendments to the masonry. Once erected, this steel lattice allowed for the side walls to be supported whilst the end walls were remodelled around the new openings and recessed brick terraces. The new street and rear elevations are built of reclaimed brickwork from the original building, mixed with palates of new heritage brickwork. The refurbishment creates five storeys with the addition of new penthouse floor, which is set back from the brickwork parapet to create a wrap-around terrace.
www.dematosryan.co.uk | Visual courtesy of Darc Studio
