BDK Architects

Multiple Housing

Les Vanniers

BDK Architects won first prize in an open Design Competition for this project.The nature of the site suggested a solution of tucking car parking below 26 Apartments and 4 Penthouses, which stepped back up the site. We wanted to avoid the typical approach of ‘sticking on’ balconies to the external walls and rather provided very generous terraces to every Apartment within the buildings massing.

Historic covenants also had an important influence on our design, naturally evolving the overall planning – gardens to the south, two Blocks of 3 stories behind the 60’ building restriction line, car parking on 2 levels below the north blocks (naturally ventilated using stack effect), a central courtyard at First floor level (above ground floor car park) providing vehicle access from the side road and entry into the second car park level, and the two Northern Blocks above rising to six stories overall.

We developed a strategy for the naturally ventilated basement car park by using large openings on the south side, with vertical risers on the north side, that avoided the capital and running costs of mechanical ventilation. The Building Research Establishment’s wind tunnel testing of a building model demonstrated that this technique worked and complied with technical requirements.

Jersey architecture has always imported styles from abroad, which has given the Island a richness and diversity. The faceting / stepping back of this design, coupled with the combination of materials exuding presence and quality gives the buildings a hint of Mediterranean influence - entirely appropriate in the context of a high quality residence close to the sea in a very sunny location.