← Thorneloe Mews← Thorneloe Mews

At Turner Works we have a long history of transforming abandoned plots into vibrant spaces. In Croydon, Thorneloe Mews proved one of our most challenging yet rewarding examples to date. Through a series of logical design moves we were able to overcome the numerous constraints this underused site posed, resulting in an elegantly designed collection of 10 new council homes that are both practical and beautifully executed.

Thorneloe Mews is one of a number of projects that Turner Works have both designed and built through taking the role of design and build contractor. By taking on both these roles, we helped Croydon Council’s development arm Brick by Brick to maximise the potential for this infill site. Through thinking as both architects and builders, we overcame the many constraints for the site including access, overlook to adjacent homes and space constraints, ultimately delivering an efficient and elegant solution.

The site, closely surrounded by neighbouring houses and accessed via a single narrow driveway, presented significant design and construction challenges. One major move was to slightly lower the building below street level by around 1m. This strategy ensured privacy, maximised natural light, and increased the building's volume without overlooking or overshadowing neighbours. Using simple yet considered solutions was the approached we employed across the design and construction process, from the overall massing strategy down to the use of a simple timber frame system for a low-cost and low-energy building approach that allowed for a straightforward construction process that with minimal disruption to surrounding residents.

Our years of experience designing and building on tricky sites, engaging with local authorities and communities gave us the tools to find a solution for this site that is both rich in design quality and, most importantly, deliverable. Just as importantly, Thorneloe Mews proves that by thinking creatively and being adaptable, we can propel projects forward so that they deliver real value for our clients and the local community.