New residential masterplan stretching a kilometre along the beachfront.
Folkestone Masterplan is a residential development spanning a kilometre of beachfront, extending towards the historic arm of Folkestone harbour. Eckersley O’Callaghan is providing structural, civil and facade engineering, as well as facade access & maintenance services for six plots across the masterplan.
Plot A features an eight-storey, new-build, concrete-framed residential building with a single level of basement, to be constructed directly on the seafront within the shingle beach. The basement, which will house car parking, is designed with flood protection by setting entrance threshold levels above the 1:200 year flood level. The cantilevered balconies on this plot are designed to reduce solar gain while maximising panoramic views.
Plot C will offer high-end residential units in two symmetrical blocks with stepped geometry facing the sea. The stepping balconies are secondary elements, added to the primary structure. A parametric study of the structural grids has enabled optimal tenancy whilst minimising material use. Slender steel columns support the thin flat slab, enhancing uninterrupted sea views. This plot also includes a ground-floor podium with a car park, amenities, a residents’ pool, and a landscaped terrace topped by a public viewing platform.
Plot D is a five-storey residential development comprising over 100 units across 14,000m2. It features three small residential towers situated on a shared podium. The facade incorporates precast elements with punched windows and doors opening onto balconies and terraces.
Plots F, G, and H consist of 13 residential buildings of varying heights, all with a shared basement car park. Our team has focused on optimising thermal performance, reducing embodied carbon, and exploring panelisation strategies for prefabricated elements by evaluating different facade systems.
Low embodied carbon strategies are being targeted across the development to align with LETI and RIBA’s 2030 goals. Our R&D efforts focus on efficient structural grids and buildups that meet the architects’ spatial requirements while minimising material use. Additionally, robustness standards have been incorporated for a 100-year design life, demonstrating our commitment to low carbon and resilient building in this marine environment.
We are also working to secure strategic approvals for surface water drainage strategies, flood risk, and sea defence strategies for each plot, including plots A and C, which are the next residential plots anticipated to commence in 2024-2025. Agreements with the Environment Agency are in place, although the phasing of the masterplan is not yet fully finalised.
Eckersley O’Callaghan is striving to balance low-carbon solutions, future flexibility, and resilience in the challenging coastal environment. We are utilising our in-house parametric tools, including the smart massing tool (SMT) to select and coordinate grids and assemblies for both structure and facades, ensuring rapid updates throughout the design phases.
© Eckersley O’Callaghan 2024
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