Urban Developments
From feasibility studies to planning and delivery of projects, we work regularly with landowners and developer clients of all scales across urban areas around the UK.
Pairing our extensive experience with site planning and development delivery with rapid assessment, testing and visualisation strategies, OB Architecture are perfectly placed to quickly test and optimise the full development potential of any site.
We have outlined below some of our urban development projects in London and the South of England, showing the range of scale, design and urban settings the team have worked in.
Greyfort House
An award-winning residential development of 8 units for a prominent corner site in Croydon, south London
The building’s distinctive, modern form is sculpted to respond to the architecture, scale and materiality of the varying neighbouring buildings and to reflect the area’s exciting future as a vibrant place in which to live and work.
Area: 619 sq.m.
Project Value: £1,379,000
Tenure Mix: 100% Private rented
RIBA Stages 0-6: Completed (2020)
Winner of British Homes Awards 2020, Shortlisted for RIBA Awards 2020, RICS Awards 2020, Brick Awards 2021, AJ Awards 2021
Design Team: Belmont Property, Inseen Construction, Marbas Structural Engineers, JPS Landscape Design, Energist UK
Read more here.
Parkside
Residential-led development providing 150no high quality new homes in a highly sustainable location, with commercial units and extensive landscaping.
OB Architecture worked on initial feasibility studies with the client team, developing the final scheme for RIBA Stage 02 pre-application and planning submissions.
Area: 12,750 sqm
Project Value: Circa £44m
RIBA Stages: 0-2 Planning
Design Team:
St Peter’s
A 4-storey, 8-unit development of high specification apartments, designed to offer residents comfortable, modern homes in a central Croydon location
The project’s design draws on the established forms and architectural detailing of the street’s many double-gabled mansion blocks, helping to ground the development into its context.
Shortlisted for Brick Awards 2023
Area:
Project Value:
RIBA Stages: 0-6 Completed (2023)
Design Team: Belmont Property, Inseen Construction, AdemChic
Read more here.
Foxley Lane
Contemporary designed 41 affordable homes set amongst mature trees on the edge of the picturesque Webb Estate in Purley, South London.
Working closely with the Client team, OBA London studio maximised the potential number of units on the site through a detailed PPA, pre-application and planning submission to the local authority, praising the high quality design as a reason for the permission on a highly visible site on a main route into Purley. The OB Architecture team then worked with the main contractor to deliver this exciting affordable homes scheme and completed in late 2024.
Area: 3,525 sq.m.
Project Value: £3.5million
Tenure Mix: 100% affordable homes (Moat Housing Association)
RIBA Stages: 0-6 Completed (2024)
Design Team: Strata Design, QuinnRoss Consultants, Walsh Engineers
Read more here.
Strawberry Close
This contemporary residential development of nine town centre apartments set on verdant hillside in Tunbridge Wells, a site that was previously considered undevelopable. Our contextual driven design process enabled the client to realise a 9 unit luxury housing development.
Area: 870 sq.m
Project Value: £2million approx
Tenure Mix: 100% private market sale
RIBA Stages: 1-6 Completed (2022)
Winner of the What House? Awards 2022 and British Homes Awards 2023
Design Team: Reigate Land, Ramtech Consulting, Echo Structures, Whitgift Estates, Lusson
Read more here.
Winchester Road
On a prominent corner site in Southampton, this project provides 34 modern flats for young professionals, new commercial space and a cafe on the edge of Southampton Common.
OB Architecture realised a significant planning gain through intelligent design and successful communication with the LPA, and are looking forward to RIBA Stage 04 and 05 delivery on site in 2025.
Area: 1,550 sq.m.
Height: 4 storeys
RIBA Stages: 1-3 Planning (Consented 2024)
Design Team: Sabre Commercial Investments
Unilife, Southampton High Street
97 student bedrooms and retail space utilising modular construction in the historic city centre of Southampton
OB Architecture achieved planning permission for this scheme in a sensitive heritage setting, securing marriage value for the client across two sites and optimising the efficiency of the accommodation provided.
The scheme was designed to make use of off-site modular construction, which will ensure internal build quality as well as delivering construction and programme efficiencies and reduced downtime for the existing facilities. OB Architecture worked closely with the client in the early stages of the project, to optimise the scheme and maximise the commercial benefits available through their chosen construction method.
Area: 1850 sq.m
Tenure Mix: 100% student housing
RIBA Stages: 2-5 Completed (2024)
Design Team: Stelling Properties
Smitham Corner
Sitting on a prominent junction in South Croydon, the design for this 17 unit development carefully addresses the neighbouring context across the corner site, subtly referencing the local Arts and Crafts styles in a contemporary fashion to suit modern living.
The OB Architecture team worked closely with the developer Sandy Lane Projects from feasibility through to site delivery, with completion due for late 2025.
Area: 1,870 sq.m.
Project Value: £3million
Tenure Mix: 100% rental accommodation
RIBA Stages: 0-5 On Site (due for completion late 2025)
Selsdon Junction
Mixed-use development of 22 residential units with a mix of affordable housing and market dwellings alongside a ground floor commercial unit on a major route into South London.
The project looks to act as a new “marker” building that establishes a more appropriate and balanced relationship between the scale of urban form in the area and the busy road junction. It creates an active and animated commercial frontage with a landscaped public realm, acting as a catalyst for regeneration of the local area.
Area: 2,100 sq.m.
Tenure Mix: 70% market sales, 30% Affordable housing
RIBA Stages: 0-2 Feasibility + Pre-application
Bensham Manor
Taking an under-utilised plot of land, we developed a compact 9 unit Residential apartment scheme which provides the opportunity to create an appropriately increased density but sensitive architectural form for a well used road in South London.
The appearance of the proposal has conceived as a contemporary composition and reinterpretation of the forms and details that define the architectural character of the area – arched windows with transoms and mullions, accentuated horizontal elements, and accentuated ground floor base.
Area: 630 sq.m.
Tenure Mix: 100% private market sales
RIBA Stages: 0-3 Planning (Consented 2023)
Abbey Wall
Mixed-use development of 66 units and a ground floor commercial unit, sitting alongside a Grade II listed wall in an area with rich industrial heritage and connections to William Morris in a vibrant area in South West London.
Designed to provide a link between the old and the emerging town, the proposal combines the listed medieval boundary wall with contemporary architecture that reinterprets the local character. The use of buff London brick alongside pitched roofs are inspired by the local character and contextual setting, with copper-tone windows reflecting the historic mills and artisans the area was once home to.
Area: 6,000 sq.m.
RIBA Stages: 1-5 Completed (2023)
Designing places that matter.
As architects, we design and deliver innovative homes across towns, coastlines and the countryside.
OB Architecture are experienced in designing residential schemes for complex urban sites, optimising the potential of tight plots with sensitive constraints through a design-led approach
Our knowledge and expertise, together with our passion for change, will redefine your project to create characterful spaces that excite and inspire. Designed responsively and responsibly; our buildings are for people. They are not just buildings, they are homes designed for you.
About OB Architecture:
OB Architecture is an award-winning architectural studio delivering aspirational homes on coastlines and mountains, in cities and in the countryside. Established by Founder Olly Bray in 2010, OB Architecture is a friendly and open practice of experienced architects, designers and technicians. The team works between three architectural studios in London, Winchester and Chamonix delivering projects locally and internationally.
‘Our buildings deliver value. We design for people, and we’re passionate about delivering tangible value through considered and innovative design.’
