Medina House, Hove, United Kingdom

Heat expected to rise on beachfront as controversial scheme is unveiled
Brighton based Camillin Denny Architects have submitted a proposal for planning approval for an exciting eco-friendly mixed use development at the Medina House site on Hove seafront, only a stone's throw from Gehry's doomed King Alfred project.

The design for client Globe Homes is a direct and positive response to the context of the seafront location, the varied and interesting range of building ages, heights and materials, and also the coloured beach huts on Hove Lawns – the varied colours of the south facing façade respond to this. The use of copper is also a direct link to some of the historic context and is a suitably robust material for this tough seafront location, the Listed shelters on the seafront have patinated copper roofs.

Sustainability has been considered from the very beginning of the design process, both in terms of developing the brief and the design. The building is mixed use with a restaurant at the ground and first floor levels which creates an open frontage to the sea. If approved, this will be one of the few locations along Brighton & Hove seafront with a restaurant directly fronting the promenade. The building is designed to take full advantage of solar gain with PV cells integrated into the shading system on the south façade. Initial calculations demonstrate that around a 20% reduction in electricity consumption from the grid will be achieved.

The ultimate aim of the project is to revitalise a currently run down part of Hove seafront, to create new and attractive public space around the building and to further enhance the townscape of Kings Esplanade from the seafront and from strategic views further inland.

The South East Regional Design Panel (SERDP) have said in support of the proposed design: “We support the bold approach to developing this challenging site and we think it could be suitable for a tall building”. “We feel the current layout proposes an appropriate solution to a difficult site”.

Medina House: Quick facts:

Site Area: 376 sq m
Gross Internal Floor Area: 2914 sq m
Number of floors: 15 + ground & basement
Current usage: Existing disused and derelict building – to be demolished
Proposed usage: Restaurant at ground and first floor levels
Car parking, plant and bicycle storage to basement
Commercial lettable floor space second floor level
Total of eleven residential duplexes, single storey apartments and one penthouse triplex
Two additional affordable dwellings
CfSH benchmark: Total weighted score of 71% achieving Code for Sustainable Homes Level 4
Consultation Public Consultation exercise March 2008
Consultation with the South East Regional Design Panel

source: www.worldarchitecturenews.com
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