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Design Dilemma Exteriors

Ways to improve the front of this building??

2 years ago

last modified: 2 years ago

Hi All,

Looking for ideas to improve the look of this block of flats, from the radical to the conservative. I feel pretty stumped myself... Any thoughts? Your help greatly appreciated!!

Featured Answer

minnie101

2 years ago

Is the front used for wheelie bin storage as i think laying either side to lawn with beds would make a huge difference?

Render would break up the brick but if you go for that I would only do the ground floor, it would both look nice and avoid any initial and ongoing scaffolding costs which are super expensive.

The porch canopy and door could be updated. Not sure if some form of modern flat roof would work? It’s hard to find images but I like that the post boxes are in the side part in the 2nd pic. I’ve also added a pic of apartments where the centre also projects with a canopy although obviously not suggesting this style!

You could go further and replace the path and obviously change windows to white or a light complimentary colour..It might be worth employing someone who can do a 3D render once budget is decided?

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Comments (10)

Sonia
2 years ago
So you want to “improve” the building and convince the owners to accept it. Are you expecting them to pay for it too?
twamleyk
Original Author
2 years ago
Hi Sonia,

Perhaps I worded it badly?! I don't mean to force anyone to do something they don't want (not sure how I would anyway?!), I meant that changes are not dependent on me and a range of options are likely needed for any consensus to be reached. The owners have come together and proposed that some changes are needed to improve the building. I said I would scope some potential ideas, both 'low hanging fruit' (if there are any!) and more radical options. The owners would obviously then pay for the changes, should they want and/or agree on them!

I shall try to edit to make it clearer.

Best, K
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Daisy England
2 years ago
Cedar is a popular choice and breaks up the brickwork and could replace the black in the middle but beware it is expensive
twamleyk thanked Daisy England
Sonia
2 years ago
Sorry I jumped to conclusions twamleyk. I do that sometimes! After Grenfell any kind of cladding can be a problem in blocks of flats but it isn’t too high. How about rendering over the bricks in an off white render? I’m not sure how much maintenance it would need though.
rinked
2 years ago
I actually like the brick, but the diagonal cladding and portico are an eyesore.

Perhaps some (faux) cedar beams and black 'glass' can give it a bit of industrial sleek Frank Lloyd Wright looks? I tried to create a mockup:
belindakor
2 years ago
I actually think it looks quite nice. Why not rip out the plants and add some flowering trees or a nice uniform hedge?
srtcullen
2 years ago
It’s that central section that makes it look a bit old-fashioned. So something to modernise that and then I agree some (low-maintenance) updates or landscaping out the front would make it much more inviting.
gold895
2 years ago
I agree with belindkor. i like red brick buildings and even like the grey trim. i think it just needs some landscaping - maybe some grass or astro turf - and some flowering shrubs, and maybe a nice gate at the front.
Ken Varden
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
This is the County Hall in Cork. It was originally glass and concrete and looked

pretty rough. It was given a facelift using rain screen cladding as shown in the

photograph and now looks much better. It is a good solution when minimal disruption to the existing façade is required

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