>A017 Hallgate

Our third investigation into the work of Span Developments, further richening our understanding of the works’ embodied language, shared detailing and robustness for living.

The studio was appointed, as we see it, to add a layer of intervention to the architecturally important and still relevant, grade II listed Hallgate in Blackheath, London.

Following our earlier works to a 1957 Span apartment in nearby The Priory, and subsequent project in The Hall, we saw this as an appropriate time to evaluate our approach and to crystallise how these homes can be further honed, maintained and enhanced; to continue their reputation as exemplary models for living.

In parallel with the more poetic strands of our approach, this third endeavour enabled us to grapple further with general modernisation and associated challenges, including critical improvements to thermal performance and the necessary upgrading of internal services.

The project sees the use of CNC, or simply, automated cutting, for furniture, alongside laser cutting for steel and stainless steel elements — with all items drawn by the studio.

The importance to understand, protect and enhance the special character of these ultimately modest, yet exceptional residential buildings is significant – we hope to provide the model for whole-block rigorously thought-out and thought-through retrofitting.