Architecture

HTA’s architectural approach is led by respect for the historic maternity building, which is retained, refurbished, and extended to become the focal point of the neighbourhood. The retained central wing, with its distinctive art deco detailing and symmetry, anchors the layout and informs the proportions of new development. Three mid-rise apartment buildings to the south step in height from four to six storeys, mediating between the scale of the hospital and the broader townscape.

Two terraces of three-storey houses line the western edge, providing a softer interface with the neighbouring residential streets. Materials and detailing draw from the local civic and domestic character, with brickwork and stone elements creating visual continuity. The architecture responds directly to the site’s constraints, including the Ancient Woodland buffer and SINC designation, ensuring a sensitive balance of density, heritage and ecological priorities.