September 28 2018

Ian Springford Architects have returned with a revised design approach to the redevelopment of 1-3 Canon Street to create 11 apartments and a ground floor retail unit, by preserving its distinctive orange clay tiled roof.

Situated in the Canonmills conservation area the revised plans include façade retention of the last surviving mill building in the area, inserting large format glazing at street level with contemporary zinc dormer windows above.

Works also include demolition of a rear extension to allow creation of 11 new build apartments faced in stone with a series of setbacks utilised as private terraces.

Outlining the rationale behind the changes ISA wrote: “In the previous application it was proposed that the orange clay tiled roof and shopfront - as newer addition to the building - should be removed to create a distinct contrast between old and new.

“…  it was agreed that, although the current pantile’s were not the original roof, it was a traditional local material and should be retained.”

Additional amendments include replacement of gable brickwork with either stone or render.

7 Comments

#1 Posted by Richard Pardoe on 28 Sep 2018 at 12:38 PM

The dormer windows makes a nonsense of discussion around the tiles. I appreciate that the dormers are probably necessary to make the building viable but the roof is now a mockery of integrity.

#2 Posted by Stevie Steve on 28 Sep 2018 at 13:31 PM

Maybe if the dormers were clad copper or a pigmento zinc or something? Might sit a little better...

#3 Posted by Brian Sewell on 28 Sep 2018 at 14:28 PM

- just two different languages to me and definitely not sure about the visually cantilevered random rubble either. I mean why not just give it a stone corner all the way to the ground and have two openings?
Unconvinced by the trying too hard modern and existing traditional language, or at least how they are executed here. Box dormers? meh.though #2 has a fair point.

#4 Posted by Chris on 28 Sep 2018 at 16:25 PM

The dormers and the ground floor glazing are at odds with what is a charming building.

#5 Posted by Hum on 28 Sep 2018 at 17:17 PM

The dormas don't bother me, but it definitely needs something on the corner to visually support the weight of that stone.

#6 Posted by Artisan2 on 29 Sep 2018 at 19:51 PM

Although this version is an improvement on the previous scheme, I suggest that there should be more emphasis on the relationship between the two buildings. One old and one new, not an attempt to update the old to include new elements. Emphasise the essence of each. Reveal the best of both. More integrity, less compromise.

#7 Posted by Inahuf on 5 Oct 2018 at 09:09 AM

The interior planning is a convoluted as the architecture. Single aspect flats (so struggling for ventilation) and a penthouse where the lift opens straight into your hall so you hear the noise every time a neighbour uses it, and likely get any smells too, say of someone smoking, open straight into your flat.
Rather than conceive two blocks (one old, one new), vwith stairs etc at the connection and homes planned sympathetically within the volumes of those blocks, the current plan is a car crash of new build vs extended facade retention.

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