The strategy for 716 Argyle Street focuses on the creation of a contemporary tenement building which adheres to the principles of maximising space and light. All the flats within the proposal are dual aspect and glazing has been maximised to the front elevations to allow views out towards the south. Flat types with different layouts suit a variety of tenants and their families. The building follows the line of the street, reinforcing the street edge in the traditional tenemental fashion. Small gardens to the front provide privacy to ground floor flats and minimise disruption to the utilities and services that are located within the pavement to Argyle Street.
A strong central block is held by two bookends. These three 6 storey monolithic blocks are differentiated by 5 storey set backs completed in zinc, which step back in order to articulate the three main blocks. The palette of materials is restrained and limited to brick and zinc. A textured brick with a handmade aesthetic is used on the main facades onto Argyle Street, Shaftesbury Street and Shaftesbury Lane. The lower two storeys are articulated as a heavy masonry plinth, completed in projecting flemish bond, which picks up on the architecture of the adjacent Victorian Savings Bank of Glasgow as well as an important Victorian building at Anderston Station, demolished as part of the comprehensive redevelopment plan for Anderston, undertaken in the 1960’s. The upper stories are gently removed from the ‘plinth’ by way of a recessed band of brick stretcher-coursing, above which the brick facade continues in the more familiar stretcher bond. Rear elevations are completed in a smooth brick, differentiating front and rear elevations, again with reference to the traditional tenement.
To contrast with the brick, pigmento green zinc cladding is used in a vertical arrangement, to articulate two recessed five storey blocks as well as the window openings. Windows to the front and side elevations have a full brick return to emphasize solidity, and are completed with zinc cills and zinc soffits. Powder coated aluminium window frames are painted to match the zinc cladding. Areas of zinc articulate windows within zinc bands at first floor level to all blocks, as well as within the town houses.
Feature LED lighting, set within the gardens and areas of hard landscaping, light up the corners of the flemish bond brickwork ‘plinths’ providing a contrast to the shadows cast by the sun during the day.
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