As the pivotal phase, Phase 2B carries much of the burden for the success and amenity of the scheme overall. The design was required to be both contemporary and characterful, capable of delivering interest and opportunity to businesses, local people and visitors from further afield, while remaining sympathetic to the history of the site and those heritage assets retained within the new development.
Designed and overseen by CZWG Architects LLP, and detailed by cube design on behalf of the Main Contractor, Galliford Try, Phase 2B is entirely contemporary, and offers a mixed ratio of one to three bedroom units of varying types and tenures, including affordable, organised around a central private greenspace in Brewery Square Gardens.
Form and massing ensures that each building possesses a clear individual character, although their identity as components within a larger whole is secured through the use of similar materials, subtle aesthetic and architectural detailing which establish a relationship to the historic vernacular.
The varied palette of Ibstock Brick includes sandcreased London Yellow Multi Stock, buff sandfaced Marlborough Stock, sandcreased Swanage Handmade Restoration Red, Staffordshire Slate Blue Smooth and Leicester Tapped Red Specials. Stretcher-bonded brickwork is predominant across elevations, establishing a dialogue with the contrasting hues and textures of vertical and horizontal ivory rendered elements, stone cills. lintels, columns and plinths and, notably, copper, which is employed to striking effect on the curved clad façade of Copper Crescent.
Among the most distinctive components of the phase is the splayed brickwork projection of the Crows Nest balconies which characterise the public square-side corner of the five-storey Cooperage Building. The curvilinear form of the building was influenced by the sweep which connects the southwest corner of the listed Brewhouse building to Pope Street. The glazed entrance to the building is flanked by a series of red rubbed brick ‘beer barrel’ columns which support a sinuous undulating brickwork canopy above. The upper elevations are characterised by a series of intersecting curves and drums enclosing apartments and culminating in a circular glazed penthouse at seventh storey. All curved elements have, remarkably, been achieved using standard bricks.
