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Forge Design Studio’s Year in Review!

Regeneration Projects

Regeneration of previously developed urban sites remains at the heart of many of our projects. Work has continued on all stages of development across a number of schemes.

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Our first site in Hertford, the Former Waters Garage on North Road has commenced construction work. Whilst we have not remained active on the project, it was sold-on by our client, we are very interested to see the buildings emerge from the site. It has been a complex undertaking for the new owners but it appears the values and interest which is being created will make it a successful development.

Click here to find out more!

On the opposite side of the road!! …. we have carried out the working drawing programme for 60-68 St Andrew Street. We achieved planning permission in February and have worked with our client on the detailed development of the proposals – utilising our 3D BIM skills during the process. The archaeological investigation which was required as part of the planning conditions has been completed and a start on site is due early in the New Year.

Our largest single regeneration project, at the Former Brewery Site, Portslade is currently going through the planning process. The proposal includes a mixed-use of 50 residential units, in a mixture of new build and conversion, together with a Creative Arts complex providing start-up, low rental employment space. We are in detailed negotiation with the case Officers and are looking forward to a positive outcome early in February

Hertford Pub Crawl!

Former Sun & Harrow
Permission Granted!!

Consent was granted by East Herts District Council, via delegated powers on 28^th November 2016, for the redevelopment of the former Sun and Harrow Public House site in Ware. The scheme provides 8 new build homes in a mixture of sizes and types.

Lengthy negotiations took place with the planners and a scheme was achieved which satisfied all requirements. The proposals complete the street scene and form a marker on the corner which echoes the geometry of the former pub building. The stepped terraces follow the site contours, with all servicing taking place from the front. Semi-private space is created which acts as a buffer to the public realm.

The Local Authority were keen to see the provision of the maximum private garden amenity space and have encouraged us to follow good urban design principles by creating a continuous, active street frontage.

Forge Design Studio are currently actively working another two pub sites involving grade II listed buildings. Both schemes include rationalisation and redevelopment of the pub buildings to create a more viable business through the realisation of the value contained within the associated under-utilised car park and gardens.

It’s a long way but it’s worth it!!

Forge Design Studio are pleased to have been appointed to develop design proposals for the conversion and re-use of Grange Farm, Aldeburgh, Suffolk!

Located on a raised site with panoramic views over the estuary the farm is a short drive away from the desirable, festival town of Aldeburgh but a long drive away from the office! The site is well worth it however, as it has tremendous potential to be a really interesting project with a range of different building opportunities.

Sustainability will be key to its success and we look forward to teaming up with our fellow consultants to develop a comprehensive development strategy.

Odyssey, Stevenage – Permission Granted!!

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We are pleased to confirm that on Thursday 13th October the planning committee at North Herts District Council voted unanimously in favour of the application for 70 new homes on the Odyssey Health Club site in Stevenage.

The previously developed site has proven to be a challenge with issues of green belt, access, noise and contamination all requiring specialist input. Final design arrangements evolved as a result of strong and integrated team work across all disciplines.

Go team!!

After discussion at committee, Cllr Ward become our favourite when complimenting the Architect on a good job well done!

Forge Design’s Open Studio Today!!

Preparations are in place for the Forge Design Studio Open Day. True to form we have made sure that visitors will be looked after … tea and cakes looking spectacular. It will be a great chance to show off our work … come and join us if you can!

Please see the ‘Contact Us’ for information on where to find us!

Even the puppy is ready to go!

Cowesfield Gate

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The interior of this project doesn’t look the same when viewed as an arty black and white shot!

Our nearest project, for neighbours Stephen and Amanda, has recently been completed. The extension to their home has added a unique, vaulted kitchen with exposed trusses and generous roof glazing to create a real wow factor. Doors from the original cottage on the site have been incorporated and the light and airy space has immediately proved itself popular with the whole family.

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Amanda’s sense of fun and use of colour has added an extra dimension to the space which has blended in really nicely with the original house. The outside courtyard, which forms a link, to the adjacent studio workshop is secured by a pair of hand crafted gates which have been recently installed.

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Amanda claims to be happy to spend all day in the new kitchen but we’re not sure she really means it!

A303 CPD Tour!

We enjoyed a great staff day out of the office on Thursday. It was CPD, honest!

After much discussion in the office about an away day, our lovely Director Mike, set up a top secret tour of three mystery locations. The team were only told to be ready by 8:30 and to wear sensible shoes!

Rendezvousing bright and early, Claire, Loretta, Mike and Nick, set off from Salisbury just before 9.00am and headed to the new Denton Corker Marshall, Visitor Centre at Stonehenge. Arriving before the crowds it was good to see the building and overall masterplan coping with the hordes of tourists who began descending on the site. The trip out to the stones was enjoyed by all, and as we had 3 out of 4 first-timers, it led to a lot of interesting discussion and speculation.

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We all hoped that the plans for tunnelling part of the adjacent A303 will go ahead. (Click here to find out more)

From Stonehenge we headed west to Durslade Farm, home of Hauser and Wirth. For those that don’t know –

“Hauser & Wirth Somerset is a pioneering world-class gallery and multi-purpose arts centre, which acts as a destination for experiencing art, architecture and the remarkable Somerset landscape through new and innovative exhibitions of contemporary art. A landscaped garden, designed for the gallery by internationally renowned landscape architect Piet Oudolf, includes a 1.5 acre perennial meadow, which sits behind the gallery buildings”

The buildings, garden and exhibits were a revelation and were much admired by all. It also provides a really nice lunch!!

For the last stop of the day we came back to Salisbury and made our way along to Roche Court to admire the work of Stephen Marshall Architects at the NewArtCentre. The range of projects, attention to detail and accessibility are admirable. Great to see a long-lasting relationship between architect and client. The obvious trust and understanding between the parties was plain to see.

The Artist’s House was a firm favourite – if you haven’t visited you should try and get along to see it.

A great day out with a chance to see 3 world class projects within a 45 or so miles of the office. Nice.

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Our Director Mike, always full of bright ideas!

Please see the links for further information on all of the locations we visited yesterday!

Hauser and Wirth

Roche Court

Portslade Brewery, Brighton

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After extensive pre-application discussions with the Planners at Brighton and Hove City Council the application for the regeneration of the Former Brewery Site at Portslade has been submitted and registered with the Local Authority.

Mike attended the second public exhibition held on site on the 8^th June and the feedback received has been further reflected in the submitted proposals. Notwithstanding the regeneration of the whole site and securing a future use for the distinctive brewery buildings, one of the most exciting elements of the scheme is the potential partnership with Pheonix Arts Brighton.

It is proposed that the former workshop building and lower floors of the corner Tower fronting onto the High St are converted to form a series of affordable low-rent studio spaces, multi-purpose exhibition, teaching areas and café. The attached images show an example of the proposed spaces together with an extract sample of the submitted drawings.

The scheme includes 50 residential units with a comprehensive mix of sizes and configurations and approx. 7,000 sqft of creative employment space.

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66-68 St Andrews Street, Hertford

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Having been retained on the project by the new site owners, Leary Developments Ltd., work is underway on the working drawings for 66-68 St Andrew Street.

The surveyors have been on site to check the setting out and discussions are underway with the planners regarding some minor alterations to the permission. The client is planning a start on site in September this year.

We are developing the project as a BIM test case and are working closely with the Structural Engineers and Energy Consultants to develop a fully integrated 3d model of project. This can be tested and manipulated as the optimum construction methodology is developed.

Looking forward to seeing another project starting on site.

Forge Design’s ‘Open Studio’

We are looking forward to holding an ‘Open Studio’ event on Saturday 17th September.

Over the last three years we have been lucky enough to have worked on a great variety of projects including schemes for a number of our neighbours! The ‘Open Studio’ will be an opportunity for us to meet a wider cross-section of the local community, whilst inviting them into the office to see, and learn more about, what we do.

Further details will be released shortly. Watch local press for details

Please see our contact page for our address and other details.

Regeneration Projects

Former Sun & Harrow Permission Granted!!

Former Sun & Harrow
Permission Granted!!