Drum Court replaces an existing office building with much needed affordable rented apartments in the town centre of Petersfield. PDP Architecture LLP were appointed to provide the client with options for both refurbishment of the existing office building, and new build options for the client’s viability assessments. As a result of these investigations, the viable option for the client in this instance was to demolish the existing building to construct a purpose-made new-build apartment building, ensuring that their high energy targets could be achieved.
These 21 apartments have been designed to achieve Net Zero Carbon, utilising a combination of a ‘fabric first’ approach, PV panels, and Air Source Heat Pumps. The existing car park has been retained with upgrades to enable EV charging points to be installed for residents to utilise. The design of the new building respects the ridge heights of the existing offices while allowing an increase in storeys from 3 to 4 storeys for residential use. The facades have been designed with high quality feature brickwork including snapped headers, soldier courses and extruded brickwork resonating the existing character of surrounding buildings and neighbouring conservation area.
The scheme is currently being determined by the Local Planning Authority, with a positive determination expected in the early new year of 2025.
