Pepys Estate

Pepys Estate's 1993 Estate Action SRB funding programme remedied defects in some buildings and removed bridges between blocks but did not overcome security problems of long, dark internal access corridors, and the programme was terminated in 1998 before completion. In order to address the seven blocks which had not been treated, Lewisham Borough brought in Hyde Housing Association to undertake a demolition and new build development.

After consultation with tenants, a reconstruction programme was agreed and three architectural firms were invited to submit competing proposals. The winning scheme by bptw acknowledged the value of existing open spaces, but was modified after a rigorous consultation process with the local community and English Heritage. Because of the importance of the neighbouring historic buildings and the amenity of the river walk, EH insisted that the Phase 2 block retained the existing building line and reflected the formal axial planning with respect to Aragon Gardens at the north-east corner of the site. Residents voiced a primary concern to retain as much of the existing green space as possible, and although the new buildings represent a small increase in numbers over those replaced, they were mostly erected on the footprints of demolished structures.

The project was implemented via a Project Partnering Contract (PPC 2000) with Ryden Construction. Consequently, Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) in the form of timber frame for Phase 1 were chosen, which increased design time but reduced construction time and were environmentally more sustainable than conventional alternatives.