Context & Site Considerations

This former industrial site presented unique challenges, including flood risk, structural concerns, and the need for radon mitigation. Located within a historically significant area, the scheme required a sensitive design approach that respected the factory’s industrial heritage while optimising the site for high-quality residential use. 

Design Approach 

• The original three-storey factory was retained and restored, maintaining its industrial character while adapting it for modern living. 

• The roof was raised to enhance insulation and improve ceiling heights, ensuring high-quality living spaces. 

• Full-height Crittall-style windows were installed, preserving the historic aesthetic while maximising natural light. 

• Unsympathetic alterations were removed, reinstating the building’s authentic character. 

• Brook House, a modern three-storey apartment block, was introduced, featuring a brick façade at the lower levels and a zinc-clad third storey, creating a contemporary contrast to the historic structure. 

Sustainability & Environmental Strategy

• Flood mitigation measures included a new raised ground floor, addressing flood risk while ensuring long-term viability. 

• A radon protection membrane was installed, ensuring resident safety in Northampton’s radon hotspot. 

• Thermal efficiency upgrades, including improved insulation and modern glazing, reduce energy demand. 

• Sensitive material selection, balancing industrial heritage aesthetics with sustainable and contemporary design. 

Public Realm & Community Impact

The project enhances the surrounding area by: 

• Preserving and repurposing an iconic industrial landmark, contributing to Northampton’s regeneration. 

• Providing private, gated car parking and a communal courtyard, fostering a sense of community among residents. 

• Complementing the local streetscape, ensuring that the new and existing buildings integrate seamlessly. 

Planning & Stakeholder Engagement

This project was delivered in collaboration with Homegrown Property Development, successfully securing planning permission and ensuring that the scheme met the local authority’s conservation and regeneration goals. 

Key stakeholders included: 

• Heritage and conservation consultants, ensuring compliance with local guidelines. 

• Structural engineers, addressing flood risk and building integrity challenges. 

• Planning authorities, supporting the scheme’s role in the wider regeneration of Northampton. 

Delivering High-Quality Industrial-Style Living

By revitalising a historic industrial site, BB Partnership has successfully created a modern residential development that respects its past while embracing the future. The combination of heritage restoration and contemporary intervention makes Barker Buildings a landmark regeneration project, setting a benchmark for industrial-to-residential transformations. 

Project Essentials

• Location: Northampton 

• Client: Homegrown Property Development 

• Status: Completed 

• Uses: Residential 

• Housing Provision: 54 converted apartments + 14 new-build homes 

• Public Realm: Private car parking, communal courtyard 

• Sustainability Measures: Flood mitigation, radon protection, energy-efficient insulation 

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