We were approached by the developer Homes by Esh to develop a new House Type Range which had to be NDSS & M4(2) compliant. Autodesk Revit was used to carry out the 3D modelling of the House Types. Revit is a powerful piece of Building Information Modelling (BIM) software which enables efficient and precise 3D designs and documentation. It enhances design visualization, aiding in client communication, understanding and decision-making. Additionally, collaboration with structural engineers and suppliers/manufacturers is simplified with the use of Revit. The model can be shared effortlessly, and third-party designs can be produced and incorporated within the same model. In turn, this level of collaboration between design teams streamlines the design to construction workflow by producing detailed construction drawings and schedules directly from the model, saving time and providing ease of information management.
Initial sketch designs were carried out on all the House Types and presented as initial floor plans, highlighting all NDSS & M4(2) compliance. Once the floor plans were agreed, planning drawings were created within the same Revit model, this guaranteed any future amendments were reflected on both planning and technical drawings, ensuring consistency throughout RIBA stages.
The Queensberry Design team then went on to produce full construction drawing booklets for each House Type including, planning drawing, compliance plans, setting out plan, floor plans, indicative M&E layouts, indicative floor joist plan, indicative roof truss plan, indicative staircase designs, sections, elevations and windows & door schedules. As part of the technical process, to ensure compliance with Part O of the building regulations, TM59 reports were carried out by the sustainability team at Queensberry to assess the changes and additions necessary to ensure the House Types did not overheat.
Upon completion of the House Type packs we were asked by the developer to provide a Revit software training service for the technical team. This enabled them to confidently take full control of the final models Queensberry created for them and set them up for any future projects or amendments they may have.
We were contacted by Wynyard Homes to provide a full design service including planning, technical, sustainability, structural, civils. Continuous support was provided from all departments throughout the design and build process to full completion of the site.
We were initially tasked with the Northern plots of the two sites, Alnwick Golf Club which comprised of 10no. dwellings giving a spacious feel to the 3.7acre site. There were 4no. House Types consisting of 4 and 5 bedrooms ranging between 1600-2200 ft2.
Following on from the success of Alnwick Golf Club we were further appointed to provide a full design service from our all-encompassing in-house design team on the Southern site, Stony Fields. This site, of 6 acres featured 15no. dwellings made up of a bungalow, 2no. 4 bed and 1no. 5 bed units ranging between 2200-3050 ft2 with open space and SUDs areas.
The materials used for the House Types on both sites were traditional, with the use of natural stone walling, stone quoins/surrounds and slate roof tiles. The elevations had a traditional vernacular form incorporating traditional chimneys and a mixture of front and end gable pitches that match the surrounding housing forms. The window proportions and alignment mirrored the local architectural language with reference to the nearby listed Camphill Cottage. With the introduction of feature windows and garden rooms, it resulted in a modern and contemporary aspect to meet the demands of a current modern open plan living market. In areas, the natural contours of the land gave a welcome challenge to both civil engineers and architects alike.
This prominent, steeply sloping site within the Hexham conservation area, with a level difference of 9 metres from top to bottom and existing buildings along its boundaries, provided a testing challenge for our Architectural and Civil engineering team. Situated on the former swimming pool site, the client brief was to provide 45 individual privately owned apartments and duplexes This was done by proposing a split level building up to 7 floors within the small site footprint.
Our design approach utilised the retained historic Wool Warehouse façade and respected the adjacent properties within the conservation area, while considering a much used Public Right of Way through the site.
Demolition of the existing swimming pool necessitated a staged approach and careful consideration for supporting adjacent buildings during this process.
Sheet piling was installed to accommodate the change in levels of the proposed building, with drainage for the scheme brought through this piled wall to the lower levels, discharging into cellular storm storage crates
Our client appointed us to provide solutions for civil, structural, sustainable and architectural services. The design of these new homes respects the local building style whilst providing an individual set of solutions that make each home individual and harmonious with each other.
These bespoke large family houses include sustainable features including enhancements in external wall, floor and roof insulation along with underfloor heating and feature windows sized to benefit from a South facing front aspect.
The design comprises of open plan spaces to the rear of each property with Kitchen, Dining and Family Living having direct access onto large open gardens overlooking the surrounding countryside. These new homes have large airy bedrooms with large bathrooms, en-suites and walk in dressing areas providing everything that a modern family require.
Locally sourced bricks and stone along with natural slate roof materials and locally employed contractors also benefited the local economy and reduced the carbon footprint of the construction of these new modern homes.
Our competition winning design for the exemplar scheme comprising of phase 1, The Freight Depot and ongoing phases within the prime location within Gateshead has now commenced on site. This new sustainable residential community has benefited from Queensberry Design providing all the design services on the project.
Following some innovative thinking by our Civil Engineers, the sustainable drainage design resulted in a net zero storm discharge from the site, involving SUDs basins and interconnecting storm water storage. All dwellings will also have water recycling facilities providing benefits to homeowners, the local area and sewer infrastructure.
Our designs for green housing stock allowed our team to arrive at solutions that achieve betterment over National Space Standards, facilities for all users including futureproofing for disabilities and aged communities. An on-site community hub also provides a facility to benefit the new homeowners on site, the wider community and organisations looking for local hubs that ultimately benefit everyone.
Over the coming months and years we will add further visual imagery and as built progress to further explain the scheme and how Queensberry can offer Integrated solutions that work.