Carl Chesna’s Post

Super excited our proposal for a carefully crafted stone built mixed-use development at the entrance to Northampton, brought forward by the team at @iceni, has passed the validation stage and is set for committee in April. This development has been designed to enhance the southern gateway to Northampton with a finely crafted building of fifty-four high-quality apartments and ground floor commercial space. These are distributed across a future-proofed structure with dual cores and twin stairs, ranging from six to eight storeys, and featuring a mix of one, two, and three-bedroom units. Importantly, 35% of these homes are planned to be affordable, highlighting a commitment to inclusive community development. Located at the town's entrance, the development has been designed to offer panoramic views of Northampton from its rooftop gardens, blending modern design with a nod to tradition. The design incorporates two interlocking blocks with a curved stone facade, a gesture towards the town’s historical stone-built buildings. Being close to a scheduled Ancient monument, the project was developed in close collaboration with heritage officers, aiming to set a precedent for future developments in the town centre. Our design approach respected Northampton's architectural heritage and anticipates its future needs. The facade, with its textured and smooth stone layers, is intended to complement both the local streetscape and nearby structures, including the Grade 1 listed St. Peter's Church. Sustainability has been a key aspect of the project, with features like rooftop gardens, renewable energy use, and carbon reduction strategies to create a healthier environment for residents. As we move forward, our focus is on positively impacting Northampton by providing contemporary living spaces, supporting job opportunities, and contributing to a welcoming new commercial area. We look forward to keeping you informed as the project progresses. Beautiful CGI’s by Blackpoint Design Ltd. Design Ltd  Planning and heritage Iceni Projects Civils by Herrington Consulting Ltd   #NorthamptonDevelopment #sustainabledesign #communitybuilding #mixedusedevelopment #regeneration #northampton #placemaking #housing #mixeduse #newbuild #newbuilding #stefanshawstudio

We’re excited to announce that 8001 Woodmont Avenue has been recognized by Maryland Chapter ASLA with an Honor Award in the Residential Design – Multi-Family category! 8001 Woodmont, a mixed-use high-density residential development, is situated between two prominent commercial corridors in the heart of Bethesda, MD. As part of an existing “super block” lacking adequate pedestrian connections, the team’s design approach proposed to “break the block” by inserting a new human-scaled plaza through the building, improving connectivity between the adjacent Corridors, and providing much-needed open space for the public. The ground level is organized around a block-long public plaza, which extends through a 35’ tall portal in the building. Pyramidal landforms, interwoven with pathways, imbue the plaza with an unmistakable character while providing opportunities for recreation. A tessellated public art element adorns the portal’s ceiling. Running along one side, a large stormwater planter treats rainwater from the roof of the building. This planter contains an enriched biofiltration soil that supports diverse plantings, making 8001 Woodmont one of the first designed in the county to use this technology. Throughout the building, a series of distinctive terraces provide opportunities for residents to engage with the outdoors: a south-facing Pool Terrace, a lushly-planted Garden Terrace space with facilities for gathering, and the Entertainment Terrace with vistas across the city. Kebony and native plantings add visual warmth while contributing to a sustainably-focused material palette. Client: JBG SMITH Design & Construction Team: FXFOWLE VIKA Companies, LLC Plaza Construction Xibei Song Tim Bragan Joseph Chambers, ASLA, PLA, SITES AP #MKSK #ShapePlace #PlacesforPeople #LandscapeArchitecture #UrbanDesign #Design #ASLA #MDASLA #Award #Bethesda #PublicSpace #PublicArt #Sustainability

A new development is on the horizon for downtown Toronto! Aspen Ridge Homes has proposed an 11-storey residential addition to an existing Victorian heritage home at 66 Charles Street East. This unique project aims to blend contemporary design with historical architecture, retaining the Victorian charm while bringing in modern comfort. Located near Church and Charles, the proposed building involves 16 residential units, each floor housing two units. With a rooftop garden area and the original heritage home serving as the lobby, this development perfectly balances preservation and innovation. Having worked in Toronto’s real estate for years, it’s exciting to see projects that respect the city’s rich history while catering to modern needs. This development symbolizes a strategic infill approach, utilizing space efficiently while maintaining the aesthetic integrity of our city. Would you live in a heritage-meets-modern building? How do you feel about integrating historical buildings into new developments? #RealEstate #TorontoDevelopment #HeritageHomes #PropertyInvestment #ModernArchitecture 🚧🏡

A full planning application has been submitted to redevelop a prominent Hackney site with new homes and a commercial unit. The proposal is for 8 one-, two- and three-bed apartments together with a ground floor retail unit, cycle storage and secure amenity space exclusively for residents’ use. “The trio of existing buildings were originally built in the late 19th Century and are typical of the housing style at the time,” explains our associate, Antoine Reaud, who is leading the project. “Simple in form, they have been subject to a series of differing alterations, meaning they have little commonality with the streetscape. “Our proposal has focused on re-establishing continuity with the existing three-storey building line, expressing the retail unit frontage to provide a distinct ‘base’, and recessing the massing to minimise visual impact. “A material palette of brick, terracotta and aluminum provides noticeable differentiation while contemporary detailing responds to the adjacent building and adds visual interest to the façade. “We are hopeful for a positive outcome from this application so that these buildings can be repurposed to help meet housing need in the Borough,” adds Antoine. Antoine Réaud, Charlotte Staton, CMA Planning #planningapplication #planningsubmitted #newhomes #Hackney #reuse #regeneration #architecture #design #mixedusedevelopment #urbandevelopment #repurpose #brownfielddevelopment

A full planning application has been submitted to redevelop a prominent Hackney site with new homes and a commercial unit. The proposal is for 8 one-, two- and three-bed apartments together with a ground floor retail unit, cycle storage and secure amenity space exclusively for residents’ use. “The trio of existing buildings were originally built in the late 19th Century and are typical of the housing style at the time,” explains our associate, Antoine Reaud, who is leading the project. “Simple in form, they have been subject to a series of differing alterations, meaning they have little commonality with the streetscape. “Our proposal has focused on re-establishing continuity with the existing three-storey building line, expressing the retail unit frontage to provide a distinct ‘base’, and recessing the massing to minimise visual impact. “A material palette of brick, terracotta and aluminum provides noticeable differentiation while contemporary detailing responds to the adjacent building and adds visual interest to the façade. “We are hopeful for a positive outcome from this application so that these buildings can be repurposed to help meet housing need in the Borough,” adds Antoine. Antoine Réaud, Charlotte Staton, CMA Planning #planningapplication #planningsubmitted #newhomes #Hackney #reuse #regeneration #architecture #design #mixedusedevelopment #urbandevelopment #repurpose #brownfielddevelopment

A full planning application has been submitted to redevelop a prominent Hackney site with new homes and a commercial unit. The proposal is for 8 one-, two- and three-bed apartments together with a ground floor retail unit, cycle storage and secure amenity space exclusively for residents’ use. “The trio of existing buildings were originally built in the late 19th Century and are typical of the housing style at the time,” explains our associate, Antoine Reaud, who is leading the project. “Simple in form, they have been subject to a series of differing alterations, meaning they have little commonality with the streetscape. “Our proposal has focused on re-establishing continuity with the existing three-storey building line, expressing the retail unit frontage to provide a distinct ‘base’, and recessing the massing to minimise visual impact. “A material palette of brick, terracotta and aluminum provides noticeable differentiation while contemporary detailing responds to the adjacent building and adds visual interest to the façade. “We are hopeful for a positive outcome from this application so that these buildings can be repurposed to help meet housing need in the Borough,” adds Antoine. Antoine Réaud, Charlotte Staton, CMA Planning #planningapplication #planningsubmitted #newhomes #Hackney #reuse #regeneration #architecture #design #mixedusedevelopment #urbandevelopment #repurpose #brownfielddevelopment

Residential Case Study: James House, York James Homes is a temporary accommodation for homeless refuge. Once an old office building, this development has been renovated into 57 apartments of one, two and three bedrooms that can provide emergency accommodation for 160 people. The city-centre refurbishment includes wheelchair-accessible rooms, a new-build entrance foyer, meeting rooms and staff spaces. The apartments have separate bedrooms, living space, and a shower room and storage. Cellecta’s Mojave S1-8 was specified by City of York Council due to it being a lightweight option for an acoustic composite floor build-up. This system has a low energy use, reducing running costs and CO₂ emissions, which benefits the environment. Robertson Group was supplied 3,200m² of Cellecta product for this development at James Street in York. Download PDF here: https://ow.ly/sASA50Q0xjU #ConstructionCaseStudy #Insulation #Cellecta #Architecture #Residential #Mojave #Development #AcousticFloors

Considering buying a 𝗵𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗰 𝗵𝗼𝗺𝗲? 🏠 While these houses offer a unique charm and character, it's important to keep in mind some 𝘬𝘦𝘺 𝘧𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘴. 👀 👉 Historic neighborhoods often have restrictions on renovations, and recreating architecture from the past can be costly. Plus, the repair and maintenance needs could be extensive, and potentially harmful materials like asbestos or lead may be present. 🛠️ So before you fall in love with that 𝘝𝘪𝘤𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘢𝘯-𝘦𝘳𝘢 𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘴𝘦, make sure you're ready for the commitment! 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 by clicking the link! 🔗 #historichomes #realestatetips #hollycreekhomes #rochesterny #historicarchitecture

Newham Council has issued a Resolution to Grant for a mixed-use scheme we designed on High Street North, Leytonstone.    The site is currently partially occupied by two retail businesses and two residential apartments. The rear of the site presents an opportunity to repurpose underutilised space and increase the number of homes in this prime, well-connected location.     Our design proposal seeks to reconfigure the existing building and add a sympathetic and sustainable extension to provide a further six properties. Our approach followed three core principles:    1) Retention of the primary structure – reusing and reconfiguring the existing building to maintain an active frontage and enable existing businesses to remain in situ 2) Respect neighbouring massing & materials – the rear extension maintains a datum line with the neighbouring terraced housing while the choice of London stock brick and deep red zinc matches the existing building and roof tiles 3) Cohesivity between existing & new – a set-back element is designed to unite the existing building and extension, allowing the redevelopment to be read as a complete street scene   Apartments feature a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom designs and all are dual aspect. To ensure the development has its own identity, a pale buff brick and mid-grey aluminium window and door surrounds allow for a contemporary appearance. #urbandevelopment #architecture #design #newhomes #mixeduse #planningapproval #planningconsent #newham #london #ukhousing #reuse #reconfigure #sustainabledesign 

One of the key aspects of a great room is its ability to foster socializing. Whether it's hosting lively gatherings, intimate conversations, or family game nights, the open layout encourages interaction among occupants, creating bonds and memories that enrich the fabric of family life. Great rooms often feature high ceilings, expansive floor space, and open layouts, creating a sense of spaciousness and connectivity. They are designed to facilitate socializing, entertaining, and relaxation, making them a central hub of activity within a home. . . . #blackstoneconstruction #blackstone #birminghamal #birmingham #alabama #commericalconstruction #commerical #construction #residentialconstruction #residential #architecture #blackstonebuilt #constructionindustry #buildingdesign #contractors #constructionwork #propertydevelopment #constructionsite #renovation #constructionlife #buildingsolutions #constructionmanagement