Bromley by Bow

The 219 new homes have been designed for clients Southern Spaces and Southern Housing Group, with a Victorian warehouse aesthetic that reflects the area’s industrial heritage and compliments the existing character and appearance of the area. Set on the peaceful banks of the River Lea, this striking new collection of buildings, punctuated by landscaped modern courtyards and open spaces, take their inspiration from Bow’s former Victorian past and culminates in an aesthetically planned and easily maintained village. A new urban setting of modern and classic inspiration has been created with new architecture and apartments that are an instant and natural fit with the neighbourhood.

From Victorian and Georgian streets, to former factories and warehouses, Bow River Village reflects it’s rich history in the use of traditional brickwork that evoke the buildings of it’s industrial past, whilst sleek glass balconies, zinc-cladding and contemporary landscaping employ a rich palette of modern materials that are beautiful and practical.

Faced with real brick slips specially cut from the main brickwork batch, and permanently precision bonded to the required pattern, the prefabricated units are fixed back directly to the shelf angle. Using vertical and horizontal adjustment built into the system, the units are perfectly aligned and matched to the main facade brickwork. Due to the brick slips having been cut from the same batch as the main brickwork, they present a perfect colour and texture match for flawless transitions and consistency.

The brick-face units are designed and prefabricated off-site to suit different soffit dimensions, even modern deep soffits such as those above the upper storey stairwells, meaning there is no on-site cutting required. The units are simply offered up to the pre-fixed and pre-drilled support system and bolted into position using T-head bolts.

Using this lightweight, high-strength, stainless-steel lintel system offered the contractors a solution that resulted in easier handling coupled with maximum adjustability, for quick and simple alignment on site. As mechanical lifting equipment was not required, the contractor was able to install the units in around one tenth of the time of traditional heavyweight precast concrete alternatives.

Following the success of phase one, Higgins Construction plc has been appointed by Southern Housing Group to design and build phase two of the construction of a further 112 new homes at Bromley by Bow, East London.