Moira Terrace
CardiffPowell Dobson have been working with CCHA to explore the opportunities for retaining, refurbishing, and redeveloping the Grade 2 listed 9-22 Moira Terrace. Moira Terrace is an exciting mixed-use scheme of commercial and residential properties to support the wider regeneration of Adamsdown. The aspiration is to provide flexible community and commercial spaces on the ground floor, with high quality, towards net zero carbon residential accommodation above; The aspiration for the ground floor is to provide start-up commercial spaces for local businesses whilst also providing spaces where local groups can have a home and grow.
The clients original brief for this design competition was for scheme based around façade retention. From the outset we wanted to offer an alternative that would allow us to keep more of the existing structure. Our design proposal, which was successful, is based on the principles of constructive conservation and urban repair, exploring any opportunities beyond facade retention that build on the townscape value of this heritage asset, whilst also minimising the carbon cost that demolition and redevelopment would incur.
As well as the front façade, our proposal retains the existing roof, large parts of the external wall at the rear, and following an intensive survey and design development period as many internal walls and floors as possible. On upper floors dwellings will be inserted into the existing structure, whilst access to the accommodation is provided via a new gallery extension that takes advantage of the south facing aspect of the rear elevation. The gallery offers shared and private amenity spaces that look out onto a new community garden. The street frontage will be enhanced and invigorated with improved public realm.
We have explored alternative housing typologies where they would offer the client greater flexibility and reduced risk, including two bedroom live work units that could also function as three bedroom multi-generational housing. The layout proposes a small office or generous bedroom with a separate bathroom, the space can be accessed from the living area of the main apartment, or otherwise through its own independent access.
