Rooftop extension provides new affordable homes at Antony and Roderick House, Bermondsey

Lambeth and Southwark Housing Association are delivering 30 new affordable homes in South Bermondsey. The project brings together two occupied buildings with a distinctive design to form a double-storey rooftop extension, ‘bookends’ with maisonette apartments on either end of each existing building, and a new central core connecting the two buildings.

Podium Surveying is engaged as Employer’s Agent on this rooftop airspace development, a design and build contract with the design responsibility resting with the developer.

In addition to acting as Employer’s Agent, we are also engaged as the scheme’s Site Inspector. A large part of our role in this respect is ensuring compliance for the client whilst also ensuring the works are completed to a high standard.

This rooftop development is enabling Lambeth and Southwark Housing Association to mitigate risk and fully use the land they currently have. Previously, their Asset Management Strategy identified the notional lifespan of the roof at Antony and Roderick House was due to expire in the next few years. It would need significant work, if not replacement. Lambeth and Southwark Housing Association do not have substantial land banks, so they have to make good use of their land. This airspace development adds to their stock, provides more affordable homes and is helping the association to house some of the ‘hidden homeless’ residing in the existing buildings. This rooftop extension is a prime example of making the best use of land.

As with most rooftop developments, the loadings of the new dwellings onto the old structure add technical complexities that must be considered and carefully designed. This scheme is no exception as the existing building could not accept the additional loads through its construction. Due to this, an external portal frame to the building to carry the additional loads of the new flats is being added, thus merging the latest and traditional construction techniques whilst creating an aesthetically pleasing architectural solution. Podium Surveying’s experience in modular construction is invaluable, and we are using our expertise in off-site and modular construction to assist in the design process.

The new homes are for affordable tenure. The scheme also delivers enhancements across the public realm, including new landscaping, lighting, residents’ lift and stairwell, and a new communal entrance to connect the buildings in the new central core. The development also brings a range of sustainability improvements to lower residents’ energy bills.

You can read more about Podium Surveying’s appointment on the redevelopment of Antony and Roderick House here.