The site is in the centre of Paisley, opposite the historic Abbey, and is on the site of part of the former council HQ. The scheme was designed for sale by a developer to a housing association, so had to meet the Housing for Varying Needs standards, as well as the Housing Association’s internal briefing documents, so was a complex specification.
The building is five storeys, with 38no. 1 and 2 bedroom flats. In addition to housing association requirements, they have also been designed for the needs of elderly residents, which include requirements such as electric wheelchair charging points in the basement, a day room and guest accommodation, as well as long-armed taps in bathrooms for operation with a closed fist and low-temperature radiators to prevent burns.
When site works began it was discovered that this building is on top of a historic quarry and so the foundations had to be completely redesigned, and the new foundation design was a lot more complex. The building itself is on a tight site between a police station, the council offices, existing housing a busy road and a high voltage power cable, which meant that every inch of the site needed to be maximised to ensure value for the housing association.
The flats have been occupied.
Practice
Unum Partnership
Client
Westpoint Homes / Link Housing Association
