Architects Datafile (ADF) – June 2019

(Nora) #1

T


he new Community Hub designed by
BDP and built at the interface
between a challenged housing estate
in Bath and a new housing development, is a
shining example of how an enlightened
client can maximise community capital, with
the help of a like-minded architect.
Housing association Curo is managing an
ongoing regeneration project for the
Foxhill estate, just to the south of the city
centre, but far from the wealthy Georgian
splendour Bath is famous for. As well as
refurbishing houses it owns across the site
by 2024, Curo is also building 700
homes at Combe Down next door. The
development is on the former MOD Foxhill


site where the Admiralty designed the
floating Mulberry Harbours used at D-Day,
with the site being somewhat cut off from
the city due to its historic role.
The housing association fully engaged the
community, consulting them on what they
would want from the refurbishments, the
housing scheme masterplanned by HTA,
and the new community hub, which
included a new primary academy. The
scheme’s name was a result of this
consultation process – a resident suggested
calling it Mulberry Park in order to reflect
the site’s history.
Project director at BDP Nick Fairham
tells ADF: “We’ve never worked on a

ADF JUNE 2019 WWW.ARCHITECTSDATAFILE.CO.UK

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