Coton Manor
Client:
Coton Manor Residents
Category:
Residential
Commercial
Projects
Location:
Berwick Road | Shrewsbury
Construction Value:
N/A
Size:
64 Apartments
Reimagining a 1960s Apartment Block
Coton Manor is a typical 1960s residential apartment block, both in appearance and energy performance. Its ribbon windows and concrete panel construction provide little insulation, resulting in high heating costs for residents. At the same time, apartments on the south-facing elevation can become uncomfortably hot during the summer months.
Ke-design was approached by the residents’ management company, who had been working with a grants company to explore a package of energy-efficiency improvements. These included upgrading the roof insulation, installing solar panels across the extensive roof area, adding external wall insulation and replacing the existing windows.
While these measures would significantly improve the building’s thermal performance, Ke-design saw an opportunity to go further. Rather than simply improving the energy efficiency of the existing building, we wanted to use the works as an opportunity to completely rethink its external appearance.
The existing elevations were dominated by long horizontal bands of glazing and concrete panels. Our proposals retained this rhythm but introduced a stronger vertical element, using coloured panels to break up the extensive areas of glazing and create a more contemporary architectural identity.
On the south elevation, a series of external louvres were proposed to act as a brise soleil, providing passive solar shading and helping to reduce overheating during the summer months.
The result was a holistic approach that combined energy efficiency, solar control and architectural improvement—demonstrating how the refurbishment of an existing building can be an opportunity to improve both its performance and its appearance.
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