Hambleden Court & Hurley Court

Plans for the redevelopment of Hambleden Court and Hurley Court in Bracknell, Berkshire, propose 106 one-, two- and three-bedroom affordable homes, replacing 72 existing apartments.

An initial refurbishment brief was forced to pivot, when significant structural issues in the buildings were discovered which rendered retrofit works unviable.

The replacement of the end-of-life buildings offered the opportunity to create an exemplar low-energy and landscape-led development — providing residents with safe, comfortable, and highly sustainable homes. By increasing housing numbers on the site, the scheme also enables the provision of a greater number of much needed family homes as well as new adaptable and accessible homes.

From the outset, we asked ourselves how the landscape could play a more generous role. Working with The terra firma Consultancy, we shaped a masterplan that places three buildings within vastly improved grounds, featuring new public open spaces as well as play areas for children.

Almost all mature trees on the site are retained, while the planting plan includes 129 specimen trees, over 300 feathered native trees, as well as wild meadow, woodland and scrub planting. All combined, biodiversity on the site is increased by around 12%.

For the three buildings, a buff brick has been chosen for its robustness and ease of maintenance. Careful detailing, including recessed areas and mortar colour variation, provides warmth and texture, and is complemented throughout by bronze metalwork. Meanwhile, glazed brickwork in green, brown and blue marks the entrances and provides each building its own identity.