BUILDING DESIGN AND PLANNING IN NORTH LONDON
At TOCA, our portfolio showcases diverse building design projects across North London, including private family homes, multi-unit housing for rent and sale, and specialised accommodations such as hostels and special needs facilities. We excel in creating innovative and functional commercial and retail developments, blending aesthetics with practical solutions to meet our client's needs.
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DIVERSE BUILDING DESIGN SOLUTIONS IN NORTH LONDON
At TOCA, we specialise in comprehensive building design services in North London. Our portfolio includes an array of residential projects, from private homes to multi-unit developments. Our expertise extends to commercial and retail spaces, ensuring each design is tailored for functionality and sustainability. We also cater to special needs housing, delivering inclusive and thoughtful solutions. Contact us today.
Multi-unit and New Build
Herbert Road
Replacing eight post-war prefab bungalows, Herbert Road with eighteen flats and houses (one house to wheelchair standard) is a contemporary interpretation of the urban terrace. Flats create bookends to the main terrace of houses, while the three-storey corner block defines the corner.
The mix of family sized 3-/4-bed houses and 1-/2-bed flats for social and market rent creates a diverse community. Houses are designed with separate living / dining and kitchen to cater for varying lifestyles, cultures and religions whilst addressing privacy and surveillance issues. All ground floor flats have private front gardens / entrance doors and rear gardens, as the houses. Living rooms within the dwellings are south facing. Upper flats all have balconies. Lifetime Homes and Secure by Design criteria were achieved.
After post tender value engineering, the final build cost was approx £1450m2. Sensitive detailing avoided bespoke products.
A tree survey supported removal of overgrown fir trees. The planners vetoed proposals to provide some relief to the brick facade with self coloured render panels, but gave way on initial car free requirements, enabling parking provisions to the larger family units. Early Public consultation with surrounding residents was positive.
The scheme achieved CfSH level 3 through enhanced insulation including innovative Insulslab pod foundations, sustainable drainage, green roofs, solar hot water, reduced water usage and provisions for birds and bugs in the gardens.
One lesson on this D & B scheme, is to seek greater involvement in service route location etc decisions.
Palm Estate
TOCA are currently project managing this affordable and sustainable housing estate on 100+ houses in Kasoa Ghana. It is still currently in the design development stage.
Delta Press Centre
After pitching successfully, TOCA was appointed by the Delta State of Nigeria to prepare a masterplan and undertake the design to assist them achieve their vision of a dedicated Media Centre complex. The rectangular site was greenfield land close to the edge their new administrative headquarters town of Asaba.
TOCA’s approach was to place the media centre itself as the most significant structure at the main approach of the complex with the large-scale auditorium strongly informing the structures form. The restaurant and administrative functions of the centre are stacked behind the auditorium separated and linked by the main entrance.
This ambitious scheme also included shops and office accommodation for rent to generate income which are set to one side of a landscaped courtyard. The opposite side of the courtyard houses an indoor sports centre. Outdoor sports facilities are set within the grounds. Low rise ancillary accommodation as guest houses are located at far end of the site creating a more private domestic scale enclave.
Sustainability was a key consideration with natural ventilation utilised in the first instance for ancillary spaces and simple construction techniques utilising locally available materials adopted.
Worple Road
This corner site was selected to provide mixed accommodation. Firstly, a house for rent and also move-on supported accommodation prior to the residents settling in independent homes. The clients brief also required the possibility of the supported accommodation to be used as general needs homes without supported.
TOCA’s design solution was two independent blocks – a three-bedroom two-storey house to the rear of the site and the flats to the front. The design of the flats enables them to be used as shared accommodation as well as independent units. The top floor unit is stepped back to minimise its impact on the street scene.
The elevational treatment emerged from an exploration of design language in the upmarket part of south London. The aim was to achieve an outcome that was not discernible as social housing.
Myddleton Road
This development of three two-storey wheelchair standard houses located on land containing garages was challenged by the existence of two sewers crossing the land. This informed the siting of the new block. Additional challenges were maintaining the necessary privacy distance from existing adjacent dwellings.
Internally, the scheme is thoughtfully laid out with circulation minimised, provision of a lift and generous storage space including for wheelchairs. The scale, massing and choice of materials for the elevational treatment are considered with render and timber cladding providing contrast to the brickwork.
TOCA worked with the Clients as well as John Thompson and Partners to ensure that the design fully met the end-user and statutory requirements. As project managers TOCA oversaw the procurement process, appointment of the contractor and managed the contract through to completion of the works.
Yoruba Village
TOCA was delighted to be invited to assist on delivering this ambitious project – a Yoruba Cultural Centre in London. The Igbimo Agba Yoruba (Yoruba Council of Elders) plan to develop a landmark community, cultural, business and retail complex to promote the learning of the Yoruba language. It also will serve as the meeting point for Yoruba sons and daughters in the diaspora. Yorubas are a key global community with roots in Africa. Key facts about Yoruba:
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50 million Yoruba speakers worldwide
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Yoruba is spoken in Nigeria, Benin, Togo and other parts of Africa/the Americas
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Every Yoruba is born into a clan descended from a common ancestor
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Yoruba Territory known as Slave Coast during the four centuries of the slave trade and countless numbers were taken to America as slaves
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20 percent of Yorubas still practice the traditional religion of their ancestors.
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Descendants of Yorubas in the Americas have combined the Yoruba religion with Christianity
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Yorubas in Nigeria were British subjects until independence in 1960
The proposed complex which would also welcome people from the wider community will contain the following:
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Museum & Library
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Offices & Meeting rooms • Banqueting & Event/Conference facilities
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Hotel
Liaising closely with the Client, TOCA produced the feasibility, masterplan, visualisation as well as the brochure graphics for their fundraising launch event.
St Pauls
Set in the heart of Bethnal Green, this new mixed-use building which forms part of major redevelopment of the area provided sixteen new dwellings of varying sizes for rent. The development is set out in an L shape with the two blocks separated by a circulation core containing stairs and lifts. The main entrance is from Burgess Street, the side road away from the busy St Pauls Way main road, where commercial accommodation for lease is located.
TOCA acted as Employers Agent managing the design and procurement process, overseeing construction through to completion. Liaison occurred with the commercial tenant on their specifications and TOCA managed a separate fit-out contract. TOCA also acted as Party Wall Surveyor.
Hartham Road
TOCA was instructed by the Developer Client to investigate a small commercial unit located at the end of a residential street in North London. Our approach was based on the micro-house principles that include minimised circulation and open-plan. We however went beyond this with split levels which enhanced privacy and the provision of external space – a balcony. The succinct design added value to the site and lead to a feature in the London Evening Standard.
Harold Road
Replacing disused garages, Harold Road with nine flats and houses (one house to wheelchair standard) is a contemporary interpretation of the urban infill block. Flats create a vertical emphasis to one end and the houses on the other end respond to the existing terrace on the street.
The mix used of family sized 3-/4-bed houses and 1-/2-bed flats for social and market rent creates a diverse community. Houses are designed with separate living / dining and kitchen to cater for varying lifestyles, cultures and religions whilst addressing privacy and surveillance issues. All ground floor flats have private gardens, as the houses. Living rooms within the dwellings are south facing. Lifestyle Homes and Secure by Design criteria were achieved. The scheme achieved a very good Eco-Homes standards through enhanced insulation, sustainable drainage, solar hot water and reduced water usage.
Bouvier Road
The scheme was the redevelopment of derelict garages on a housing estate in Enfield and provided two new homes for local families. It was one of the firms first new build design projects.
Circulation within the layout was minimised to ensure maximum room sizes. Great care was taken with the external treatment to ensure that the scheme both fitted into the local context but that its aesthetic was not easily defined as social housing. With a restricted budget, the considered use of relatively standard materials – self-coloured render, brick and UPVC achieved a distinctive elevation reflecting TOCA’s design ethos.
Beauchamp Mews
This narrow site was previously unused parking provision for the adjacent block of flats. Insightful asset management by its owners resulted in the provision of a four-bedroom house for sale that generated income to reinvest in their social housing stock.
The main site challenge was that it was landlocked land surrounded by existing properties. The design solution was a single-storey L-shaped building occupying the width of the site frontage but stepped back to create a courtyard and private amenity space to the rear. Roof lights enable light to be drawn into the internal corridor.
TOCA undertook the detail design working collaboratively with the contractor to deliver the high specification required for the target market. Sustainability was a key consideration with high standards of insulation, solar panel and a green roof incorporated in the design.
When the local authority rejected the name recommended for the new road derived from the adjacent street, TOCA researched the local history and suggested Beauchamp Mews. This name reflecting grand local associations was TOCA’s second success at naming a London Street and no doubt enhanced the sale price obtained.
Extensions and Refurbishments
Waterfall
This rear ground floor extension and remodelling project created a downstairs bathroom, utility area and enlarged open-plan kitchen dining area for a growing family.
Roof lights and generous rear glazing contributed to achieving a light filled space.
Monk Close
TOCA remodelled the rear of this suburban bungalow and also addressed sustainability. Insulation to the loft was enhanced and the dormer re-clad in timber to match the ground floor extension. The kitchen extension which provided additional light filled living space was splayed adjacent to the living room to retain maximum light to it. A raised patio providing level access from the rear rooms enabled outdoor living space to enjoy their mature garden.
Halifax Road
Re-modelling to provide enhanced kitchen and dining area with provision of a downstairs toilet and shower room.
One-off Residential Projects
Holdenhurst Avenue
Keen to remain in a community she had lived in for decades, this client approached us to design a new sustainable lifetime home adjacent to her existing property. We liaised with the local authority who prioritised a more traditional design to reflect surrounding properties.
TOCA’s design creatively incorporates a new bespoke contemporary open-plan design within the traditional exterior. Roof lights, split levels and large glazed doors overlooking the mature garden are key features of this design. Solar panels, enhanced insulation and underfloor heating are some of the features that contribute to its sustainability. Level access, a lift and generous circulation areas enhance its credentials as a lifetime home.
Alpha House
This existing 1970s property was completed extended and remodelled to create a work live-space. The scope of works included the demolition of a single-storey side-structure, relocation of the main access and staircase and a side extension incorporating a double height atrium. Internal windows overlook the atrium that acts as an internal street.
The resultant space is light filled and delightful with a mix of retained materials as the brick wall and new materials as the glazing and limestone floors. The new stairs were conceived as a sculpture. A glazed landing links the new and old structure. The roof with its glazed tiles glints in the sun to make its own statement.
Sustainability was a major consideration with all windows triple-glazed, underfloor heating to the atrium and low energy light fittings and installations throughout. Landscaping included tall bamboos that screen the dwelling from neighbouring properties.
Other Projects
Hailing Suburban Pilgrims
The site is a boarded up space invisible to the community and travellers alike. Our intervention to Hailing Suburban Pilgrims traversing the periphery of this forgotten space references the Railway Hotel that once stood there offering travellers a resting place.
Phillip Lane
Having lain derelict for several years following a fire, TOCA was approached to prepare a design for this site. A revised programme prevented the possibility of obtaining a new planning approval. As project managers TOCA worked with the different stakeholders, negotiated with a design and build contractor and oversaw the redesign of a historic planning approval to achieve a more efficient design that would meet the needs of the end users.
TOCA also project managed the construction phase through to handover, managing the budget and negotiating the final account.
This scheme which provided 12 new dwellings greatly enhanced the locality and was featured in the local press on completion.
Albion Drive
Set on a rectangular piece of land overlooking precious open land in Hackney, the site previously contained derelict and burnt out garages. It encouraged anti-social behaviour. The new four-storey high development created ten dwellings of varying sizes for local families.
The rectangular building takes advantage of the site occupying the east end of the site with balconies overlooking the green. The west side is laid out as a private court for the residents. Upper floor units are accessed via balconies. The monopitch roof assists in minimising the overall height.
TOCA worked with Walter Menteth to deliver the client's design vision and as project managers oversaw the construction of the works to completion. Engagement and liaison with local stakeholders by TOCA assisted in resolving all related access and boundary matters. After several name options by the Client for the new road were rejected, TOCA recommended Windrush reflecting the heritage of the neighbourhood, which was accepted by the council. TOCA is pleased with this special contribution to the project.
Oldridge Road
The scope of work is the refurbishment of an existing office and an extension also providing an accessible office space and toilet facilities suitable for wheelchair users.
Pentecostal Credit Union is situated on Oldridge road, a short distance from Balham Hill and Balham High Road which provides access to other areas in South London. The locality is well served by public transport links (Clapham South tube station / Balham train station), and other amenities (shops etc).
The proposal is to fully refurbish and transform existing offices providing easily accessible and suitable space for wheelchair users. The new frontage will be a new glazed fitting within the existing structural opening to make the entrance more accessible for a wheelchair. It is subdivided to reflect the scale of the previous glazing. There are minor alterations to the rear including a small extension.
There is no change to the overall height of the property; the appearance of the frontage has been redesigned, glazed and also making the entrance wider to enable wheelchair accessibility. The appearance of the small rear extension including windows are to match the existing.
Pilates Studio
A stone’s throw from Tate Modern and the Thames, this was a commercial fit-out project for an international leisure chain. As their first and flagship studio in the UK, TOCA’s local knowledge guided them through design, planning approval, tender and construction phases to deliver their brand experience and an inclusive wellbeing studio. A second studio in Wapping has since been completed.