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Cosway Street
Westminster, London

Project Description

Cosway Street is the largest of a package of three complex delivery projects that already had planning permissions and that DMA subsequently developed and delivered. One of the first residential developments created for sale by Westminster City Council, Cosway Street provides 49 new homes in a perimeter block around a communal garden and it cross funds the other two developments of affordable housing.

The design concept was a contemporary take on the surrounding late-Victorian and Georgian brick buildings, and it has distinctive fluted brick façades. These vary in rhythm and tone across the length of the building and the geometry is complex, so it was important to try to resolve the detailing and rationalise it to ensure that the design vision was economically deliverable. Offsite construction using prefabricated brick panels ensured quality control and a consistency of finish and details, whilst also improving the environmental performance of the building fabric. Working closely with façade specialist, Decomo, we tested subtle changes in colour and gradation in large, prototype panels as well as working out the geometries and detailing of the fluted shapes. Another challenge was the proximity of the Bakerloo line to the foundations where vibration pads were used to isolate the basement sub-structure from the building to protect residents from noise.

This carefully crafted building works and looks exactly as intended and, alongside its affordable sister projects, Ashbridge and Ashmill Street, is a fine addition to the neighbourhood and the wider Church Street masterplan.

To hear project architect, Sundas Rohilla, talking about the project with Vandersanden Bricks, click here.

Client – Westminster City Council

Contractor – Osborne

Façade Specialist – Decomo

Concept Architect – Bell Phillips

Interior Design – Amos & Amos

Structural Engineer – Robert Bird Group

Services Engineer – CBG Consultants

Status – Completed August 2023

Number of residential units – 49 homes for private sale

Gross internal floor area – 5,203 sqm

Sustainability – 35% improvement on Building Regulations