ECE Architecture have been appointed by Buckingham Asset Management Ltd to produce a planning application for a site east of Malling Brooks industrial estate in Lewes.
Buckingham Park will be a sustainable and design focused scheme that comprises three commercial blocks providing seven individual units of Use Class E/B8. As part of the SDNP’s planning policy, the project is being developed within the BREEAM framework, aiming for an Excellent rating for the shell and core.
Sustainable design has been key to the development of the proposed scheme, with various techniques being employed such as the superstructure being designed to be disassembled and recycled at the end of the building’s life cycle. Gas has also been removed from the development with air source heat pumps being used to support the heating as well as PV panels to act as renewable energy production.
The design approach references the typical scale and form of commercial blocks but has looked to add interest to the elevations by dropping the parapet to create a ‘saw tooth’ top light which will provide natural light to the internal spaces. This alters where a large picture window carrying signage will site above the internal mezzanine space.
The elevations have been designed as a series of bays to futureproof the design and give the building the flexibility the future tenants need. A zone is provided on each bay at ground floor which can be interchanged with ease to provide roller shutters , commercial entrance bays or alternate glazing options. The timber cladding will be sustainably sourced and set to standard dimensions to limit waste and increase interchangeability.
The scheme will also provide appropriate infrastructure for articulated lorries and other servicing vehicles, as well as EV charging spaces across the site for staff and visitors including spaces for a car sharing scheme.
The proposed landscape strategy looks to incorporate and enhance the existing swale that runs along the northern and eastern boundaries of the site. This area will be reinforced with native tree and hedgerow planting to boost the landscaped amenity for users of the site whilst also creating a buffer to mitigate any visual impact on the neighbouring residential dwellings.
In addition, the existing swale watercourse will be retained and utilised as part of the site wider drainage strategy as a sustainable urban drainage system. Each unit will have a blue and green roof system acting as part of the rain water attenuation strategy while adding further ecological and environmental value to the site.
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