The Russells in Broadway, Worcestershire, United Kingdom

October 21, 2010 Category: Cultural, Public Buildings

The Russells, located in Broadway, Worcestershire, United Kingdom, was designed by Lapworth Architects ltd, were commissioned by Chase Homes to formulate designs for the redevelopment of the former Gordon Russell Works set within the beautiful Cotswold village of Broadway – a recognised World Heritage site. The firm refurbished a selection of 16th century buildings into a £10-12m urban development including shops, a supermarket and a restaurant.

Of the 1.82 hectare mixed-use complex, 7,238 sq m has been consigned to housing and 1,796 to commercial development. 77 private and affordable dwellings have been constructed alongside a supermarket and barn-museum conversion. Of these 77 new homes, 24 have been designed to cater specifically to the needs of the elderly population. Parking has been taken off the street and open public spaces have become a focal point in an effort to encourage a sense of community spirit and increase visual interest.

The buildings are a combination of one, two and two a half-storey structures with architectural features, details, massing, etc which reflect the existing buildings within Broadway to make an interesting development similar to the existing townscape. The layout includes a general lowering of massing and density to the rear of the site where the buildings relate to the open fields to the north.

Stone walls, gates, bridged openings, vista and focal buildings with good landscaping give the scheme a strong identity whilst still creating a natural extension to Broadway which reads entirely with the existing fabric and townscape of Broadway – fully integrated into the local environment.

The Russells Design by Lapworth Architects ltd