Set in heart of the Bermondsey Street Conservation Area, adjacent to the famous Bermondsey Antiques market, the challenge with the design of this site was to seamlessly integrate a new commercial and residential space that would respect the historic fabric and scale of the street whilst bridging the transitions between the old (the famous Rose Dining Rooms) and the new (late 20^th century apartment block) next door; whilst, at the same time, maintaining access to the Victorian warehouse to the rear.

Utilising a tight brown-field site, the choice of materials and construction has been deliberately selected to produce a sustainable and energy efficient development of commercial at ground floor with residential apartments above on the 1^st to 3^rd floors. Set back at the 3^rd floor the zinc clad upper floor reinterprets the ‘mansard’ construction of its ‘traditional’ neighbours. Metal & timber full height windows and glazed balustrades flood the residential apartments with natural light and each apartment includes high specification minimalist kitchens and bathrooms and the floors are finished throughout in light timber to reflect and enhance the lightness of the living spaces.

Designed to knit the old and the new together, the site is finished in dark rich brickwork sympathetic to the historic ‘Time & Talents Settlement, The Old Rectory’ opposite and echo views through the site to the buildings to the rear, all of which contribute to the rich tapestry that makes up the Bermondsey area.