The Proposals
Overview of the development
The site is located at the corner of Matthias Road and Cowper Road. The facility is accessed through an opening in the façade leading to an undercroft. A key part of the design is affordable Fab Lab units along Matthias Road and part of Cowper Road to ensures a fully active street frontage at ground level.
The STOREX Hub serves as the main pedestrian entrance for both self storage customers and Fab Lab tenants. Beyond the secure gate in the undercroft are six parking spaces (including one accessible bay within 7m of the entrance and four EV charging points), along with a mix of cycle stands—nine short-term spaces (three for cargo bikes) and four long-term spaces.
To maximise the irregular site layout, single-storey direct-access storage units are provided to the rear. Existing customers can access the building directly via a secure customer entrance, bypassing the Hub.
The ground floor shopfront and Fab Lab units will feature natural, calm materials to create a warm and welcoming street presence, supporting public engagement and a more vibrant streetscape.
Visualisations
Proposed Ground Floor Plan
STOREX requires a modern warehouse with an efficient layout that accommodates vehicle movement and maximises the site’s footprint. This proposal meets those needs while enhancing the surrounding area.
Vehicular access is provided off Matthias Road, leading into an undercroft where self storage customer parking is located. Pedestrian access for self storage is available via a dedicated entrance near the vehicular gate. Fab Lab tenants will each have their own entrances from the pavement, with optional access through the main self storage entrance.
A single accessible parking bay is located within 7 metres of the STOREX customer lobby. New customers can enter via the undercroft or directly from the pavement into the STOREX Hub reception.
Ground floor Fab Lab units are also accessible from the secured yard and from the shopfront entrance. A mix of long-stay and short-stay cycle parking will be provided, including three spaces for cargo bikes.
Two fire escape routes are proposed: one at the northeast corner and another at the southwest.
In addition to self storage, the scheme includes 520 sqm of light industrial workspace. These Fab Lab units will support a mix of small businesses, with spaces ranging from enclosed offices to open workshops. All units will be actively managed as part of the STOREX offering by the on-site team.
Proposed Elevations
The proposed building replaces the existing worn, graffiti-covered render facade with a high-quality brick finish that reflects the surrounding material character. The parapet height aligns with the current structure and the adjacent new residential block on Cowper Road, helping it integrate into the local streetscape.
Taking further cues from its residential neighbor, the design introduces a “top hat” feature above the parapet. The facade is structured into recessed brick bays, with glazing at ground level, smooth brick at mid-level, and a projecting Flemish bond pattern at the top. These bays are designed to allow for future conversion to glazed openings, offering flexibility and future proofing.
Architecturally, the design expresses the building’s industrial use honestly. Avoiding unnecessary upper-level glazing prevents a false impression of function, aligning with the site's industrial heritage. Instead, the active ground floor frontage is provided by the Fab Lab workshops and STOREX shop, with glazed elevations facing both Matthias and Cowper Roads.
The first floor features glazed corridors offering views into the STOREX storage area. This ‘framed display’ adds street interest and provides a clear visual link to the building’s purpose, encouraging public engagement.
The upper floors do not require natural light, in line with their storage use. However, the façade’s bay structure allows for easy retrofit in future, should the building’s function change. This thoughtful design ensures the development is both contextual and adaptable, maintaining architectural integrity while supporting potential long-term flexibility.
Material Palette
The materials, textures and colours specified are chosen to both reinforce the architectural brand of STOREX. The proposed building has been developed using the following material palette:
Brick
A buff London stock brick will offer a texture and richness next to the clean lines of the black cladding and aluminium glazing frames. This buff multi / mixed tone brick is specifically chosen to complement the other materials to form a recognisable element of the brand architecture. This specific brick solution echoes the local heritage and assists in blending in with its neighbours, and in particular with the recent redevelopment of Walrond House. The bricks rich weathered texture, warm tones, and historical character also balances the elegant simplicity of the black cladding.
Black cladding panels
This is an elegant and luxurious colour that has presence. It doesn’t suffer the fashionable trends like bold colours tend to, and its sophistication will contribute to the sense of minimalist elegance in contrast to the brashness of competitors.
Curtain walling
Brushed finished aluminium sections are used to contrast against the black cladding and to emphasis the display, work units and shop windows.
Timber
Warm untreated timber sections or panelling to the shopfront area will contribute to the relaxed welcoming palette and layout of the front of house shop. While this is a small area, it is a big part of the experience and identity for customers.
Natural finishes
All materials proposed are an untreated natural finish or neutral colour to reinforce the brand values of environmentally conscious design.
Bio-Diverse Roof
Biodiverse roofs are designed to enhance urban biodiversity by providing habitats for a variety of plant and animal species. Unlike typical green roofs, which are pre-planted, biodiverse roofs use substrates like gravel, soil, or rubble to encourage natural colonisation by native flora and fauna. This self-sustaining approach helps strengthen local ecosystems.
Key Benefits:
Habitat Creation:
These roofs support rare and native species, including insects, birds, and wildflowers. A notable example is the Laban Centre in London, whose brown roof attracts the rare black redstart bird.
Stormwater Management:
Biodiverse roofs absorb rainwater and slow its flow, reducing runoff and the burden on urban drainage systems. This helps prevent flooding and improves stormwater resilience.
Urban Heat Island Reduction:
Natural materials and vegetation help cool urban areas, reducing the heat retained by conventional rooftops and improving microclimates in densely built environments.
Air Quality Improvement:
Plants and growing media filter pollutants and absorb carbon dioxide, improving urban air quality and contributing to lower greenhouse gas emissions.