Bridge House
Bridge House was an unappealing, abandoned 1970s office block on Broxbourne High Road.
Brooks Murray were appointed to obtain Permitted Development to bring the building back into use. The design comprised a bright, contemporary render façade, better insulation and a new roofline, bringing 41 new flats to the area.
Bridge House sits in close proximity to Lee Valley Regional Park in an area of mixed architectural character, from period homes and modern houses to retail units and underused office space. The landowner wanted to bring new purpose to the abandoned building and attract downsizing residents.
Brooks Murray designed a scheme to accommodate 33 flats in the existing building and retail space on the ground floor, whilst updating the tired façade and roofline with a new storey housing 8 further flats. The residential space comprises a mixture of one-, two- and three-bedroom flats to accommodate different needs, whilst residents in the new flats above have access to outdoor space on the roof.
The new render cladding replaces the existing dark brick, improving the U-values of the building whilst providing a light, modern aesthetic. The design also improved the accessibility of the ground floor, providing a ramp for disabled access, whilst reinstating the one-way access from High Road to the rear and housing a Sainsbury’s for the amenity of local residents.
