Bridgewater Gardens, Hoddesdon

By accommodating on-site parking within a half-basement below the buildings, the scheme has opened up the central space into an amenity for residents and the immediate neighborhood, creating routes and views from Rye Road to Salisbury Road.

Rock Townsend's emphasis on the quality of habitable and communal space resulted in large open entrances and flat layouts that feel light and open. This project exemplifies the potential of creatively redeveloping challenging sites and the positive impact that sensitive densification of suburban areas can have on local neighborhoods. Working with B3Living’s brief, Rock Townsend created a vision that both they and the council supported. Transforming the former

industrial site into 52 new homes, they challenged the assumed density of the local area and resisted the predictable continuation of two-storey houses, thereby making a positive contribution to the area and establishing a new public realm. This was achieved through a carefully negotiated building height that made semi-basement parking viable, thereby releasing generous central amenity space.

The 4 to 5-storey development strengthens the sense of place by dedicating a significant portion of the site to landscaping that connects to the wider area. Simple, robust detailing and well-proportioned windows create a high-quality, light-filled building that makes the flats and communal areas feel more spacious.

The adoption of a central corridor access provides an efficient net-to-gross ratio and allows the entry stair and lift cores to be generous in both width and volume. This naturally-lit transition from public to private realms maintains a visual connection with the landscaped courtyard, and the triple-height volume with a cantilevered stair creates a dramatic space that enhances the sense of arrival.