Hagley Road

Completed: 2001
Client: Calthorpe Estates

Howl Associates were commissioned by Calthorpe Estates to design a mixed use retail and residential development on one of the main arterial roads into Birmingham.

A key design objective was to provide housing above shops in an innovative manner to address the negative connotations that this combination of building types often evokes, particularly in relation to the conflict between servicing areas and access to the residential units.

The design features landscaped south facing terraces at first floor level above the shops, which provide both the access to the residential levels and amenity areas for the residents. Porous car parking areas are provided to ensure that existing mature trees could be retained, which further enhances the quality of the residential