Architects pH+ and Developer City & Suburban have received planning permission to transform a decommissioned electricity works into a mixed-use residential scheme at The Camp, St Albans. Wrapped around two courtyards the project implements hidden parking below the landscaped shared spaces to deliver a pedestrian centered development.

The scheme maximizes the strength of the streetscape supplementing parts of the existing building to provide 107 dual aspect high quality dwellings, 499m2 of commercial space, and active commercial frontage along Campfield Road.

Designed with distinct characters the ‘Lower Courtyard’ and ‘Upper Courtyard’ deliver generous and inspiring shared public amenity space for all of the building’s occupants. In addition to these spaces a number of planted terraces for semi-private amenity or play have been provided for the future residents.

The materiality of the building responds sensitively to the retained electricity works building through a restrained brick palette Red brick will be used to create a strong ‘plinth’ element for the new blocks at a lower level whilst light grey bricks will soften the upper floors of the project. An additional layer of tone and variation to the scheme will be added through a contemporary interpretation of the knapped flint walls found in St Albans through the use of dark grey bricks graduated throughout the lighter areas.

Andy Puncher, pH+ Director, said: "As a contextually driven practice it has been exciting to explore and respond to the specific qualities of this historic St Albans site. It has allowed us to continue to explore and deliver our shared space agenda whilst highlighting that density and intensity can and should be explored across all contexts to respond to the south easts housing need”