design

Forge Design Studio’s Year in Review!

Historic and Listed Buildings

Working with historic buildings forms an important part of our portfolio. Previously illustrated projects at The Former Waters Garage site and Portslade have both featured locally listed buildings within Conservation Areas, however we have also been working on a number of projects involving Grade II and Grade II* listed buildings.

The Thatched Cottage, Silver Hill is the redevelopment of a severely fire damaged cottage. Located in the countryside nr Shenley, Borehamwood our client has bought the site which includes the burnt-out shell of the cottage.

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We are bringing forward a strategy for re-development, this involves working closely with Historic England, the Planning Local Authority and our specialist Historic Building advisor. We are aiming to develop detailed design proposals and make a formal application in the New Year.

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We are actively working on two sites for redevelopment which include Public Houses, both of which are Grade II listed buildings. These projects involve re-use of the buildings and as such require a sympathetic approach to re-modelling and the downsizing of the hospitality areas. Long term sustainability and viability of the business are crucial and it is important that the proposals are matched to respect the building form and fabric.

Detailed studies have been undertaken to gain a full appreciation of the buildings and proposals. Both projects are with the Local Authority Planning Departments for consideration.

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.

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!

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.

BIM Training @ The Forge!

Forge Design Studio welcomed Jonathan Reeves into the office for two days of 3D Modelling/BIM training. Utilising our Vectorworks 2016 CAD package we fully explored the capabilities and potential of the system. The training is the first step towards our BIM Level 2 accreditation which we are currently undertaking.

Great progress was made and the opportunity to step outside of the day-to-day project work was welcomed by all.

We look forward to making full use of all the 3D modelling capabilities and, in particular, explored and verified the inter-relationship between our software and other industry standard systems.

* nb Jonathan is the author of Innovative Vectorworks BIM, a recent publication which showcases many examples of BIM collaboration.

Redevelopment of Odyssey Health Club

Following lengthy negotiation with the Local Authority the application for the redevelopment of the Odyssey Health Club site has been resubmitted to the Planning Department. The overall design has retained its original quality whilst reducing the impact on the green belt through adjustments to the scale and massing of the proposals as well as the extent of the land take.

The apartments have been relocated to relate more closely to the existing Health Club buildings and a greater mix of units, including one and a half storey bungalows have been introduced in key locations.

The application is for 70 units together with the re-organisation of all the parking and approaches to the Health Club. The statutory consultation period is underway with a decision expected in Summer 2016.

Historic and Listed Buildings

Regeneration Projects

Former Sun & Harrow Permission Granted!!

Former Sun & Harrow
Permission Granted!!