Berry Court was once an underused surface car park, but it was identified for redevelopment by Bournemouth Borough Council as part of its Town Centre Master Vision. In collaboration with Morgan Sindall Investments, under the umbrella of the Bournemouth Development Company, an exciting new plan was devised to maximize the commercial potential of this prime town centre location.
Brightspace Architects presented an innovative proposal that sought to extract the full value from the site. The development comprised a 217-space multi-storey car park, operated by the council, and 113 open market rental properties, creating a vibrant mixed-use space.
From the initial stages of the project, Calcinotto collaborated closely with Brightspace. This collaboration enabled the development of a reinforced concrete design that seamlessly integrated with the internal layouts, offering an optimized structural solution. This approach not only minimized the construction zones required for the floors but also maximized the internal heights of the rooms, enhancing the overall functionality and aesthetics of the development.
Externally, the concrete superstructure played a vital role in accentuating the clean horizontal banding, allowing the realization of sweeping curves without compromising the original design envisioned by the architects. The reinforced concrete structure of the residential building was supported by pile foundations, ensuring a stable foundation for the development. The concrete frame extended to ten storeys at its highest section, gradually decreasing to six storeys at its lowest point, contributing to the dynamic architectural composition of the building.
