Architect John Bridge collaborates with RWP

John Bridge has been a qualified architect since 2011. He has worked for a variety of architect firms, and designed many affordable homes schemes and Extra Care Housing for most of the housing associations in the North West. John founded Studio John Bridge in 2014 and created his team in 2018, which is growing year by year.

Here he talks about the different aspects of his role, developing the design for a new RWP supported living scheme in Preston, and why the collaboration with RWP has been so successful.

“My main role as Director at Studio John Bridge is to lead my team on our projects. I ensure that our team is supported and inspired, as well as managing costs and timescales. I have instilled an eco-conscious and innovative ethos within our studio, choosing to employ locally by recruiting alumni from UCLan’s Architecture Department. It is important to invest back into our local communities. To me, the design process doesn’t end at the planning stage, it’s important to review the details all the way through the construction process.

Designing a new RWP supported living scheme in Preston

“The design began by addressing the street scene and the adjacent terrace houses and ensuring that a communal garden could be located on the western boundary, which ensures daylight to the garden.

We explored a three-storeys approach, however it was not an efficient circulatory option, and looking at what building type and size worked best over two storeys. This consisted of a balance of massing, natural daylight to garden and communal rooms, as well as solar panels to south/west facing roof slopes.

The modern interpretation on the terrace, is expressed through alternate material allocation. From red multi-brick to grey brick, and white K-Rend silicone-based render system which provides superior water-repellent properties. An outline of anthracite grey windows, doors, fascias and watergoods, provides an aesthetic that references local materials and styles in a modern style of its time.

Overcoming challenges and achieving success

“The supported living scheme in Preston is on track but we have had a slight 4-week delay in the ground works due to where the land was raised with a former basement. However, Whitfield and Brown, the main contractor, is actively working on making back time through careful sequencing. We are striving to ensure the project is a success and the right decisions are provided in advance of the key stages, throughout the build.

Nicola Byrne, RWP’s Director of Growth & Partnerships, was instrumental in the acquisition of the site back in 2020-21, and a great support on the project, helping to create a link to Lancashire County Council’s Service Manager - Housing Specialist/PLO Team, Learning Disability and Autism.

Meeting the needs of tenants

"We have designed an accessible and inclusive environment, with built-in flexibility for wet rooms, provision of hoists and sufficiently designed width to corridors. The community space and garden will provide a much-wanted communal amenity space. Whereas the self-sufficient 1-bedroom apartments provide independence and privacy.

An in-house staff sleepover space with ensuite facilities allows for 24/7 onsite support, and car parking spaces with electric charging are available off street. The ground floor apartments have been designed with greater accessibility, including access to the communal gardens directly from their own lounges. We have recessed each of the apartment entrances within the corridor, which can be painted different colours for memory recognition, whilst helping to provide additional passing places.

Making progress at the Preston site

"I recently visited the site and aside from some delays due to the inclement weather, the project is progressing well. It is a tight site, due to the density required and the proximity to terrace houses and bounded by three streets.

As the build progresses over the winter, the building will quickly become water-tight, so the spaces will start to feel like rooms, and we’ll have more of a feel for the space. I am particularly looking forward to seeing how the double-height entrance space manifests.

Collaborating with RWP on supported living schemes

"We have also collaborated with RWP on a supported living scheme in Penwortham, Lancashire which has recently completed and opened its door to tenants. We worked closely with the RWP Development Team and with the contractor, D&G Builders. I think it is important for us architects to liaise closely with the Development Team, to ensure we fully interpret the brief and make the most out of the opportunity. On the Preston site, I also worked with Thornber and Walker to steer the design from concept to detailed planning, which incorporated the RWP client brief.”