Bounded to the west by the continuing four storey street frontage of Moss Street, the site opens up to the south and east and sits on the axis of Meetinghouse Lane which, by way of a series of cobbled steps, links to the Oakshaw area of Paisley.
Split over two levels, the existing topography rises sharply from the street before levelling off into a gradual slope towards a cemetery and mature wooded area. Our response was to insert a deep commercial unit at street level, flexible in design to allow maximum retail opportunity, the "roof" of which providing a base for the remainder of the design.
The residential accommodation above is accessed from a traditional close arrangement from Moss Street as well as by a private, gated point from the half landing of Meetinghouse Lane. An internal stair and lift core accesses the apartments directly from a protected gallery. Split into two, distinct blocks of accommodation, the block to the front is perceived in stone with traditional solid/void ratios, whereas the block to the rear is composed in timber cladding and zinc.
The accommodation comprises a mix of studio, one and two bedroom apartments to cater for both home owner and student rental markets.