Milton Keynes Build to Rent Development

Providing principal design and architectural services, Pick Everard was appointed by Mayforth in 2019, and has worked closely with contractor Bowmer and Kirkland through to completion of the eight-storey, 261 private apartment building, Enigma Square, on behalf of Grainger plc.

Consisting of a mix of studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments, with the majority of these having balconies, the homes were designed with the future in mind from the outset. This forward-looking design approach has ensured all homes are graded with an energy performance certificate (EPC) of A to C.

One of the primary challenges of the scheme was the tight deadline for completion of designs. Our designers had to work efficiently, and collaboratively with the wider disciplines to achieve completion and approval of detailed designs within 16 weeks. 

To ensure savings are made during the design and construction phase our consultants needed to rationalise apartment designs to align both the structural frame and the building services strategy.

With the enhanced Approved Document Part B fire regulations coming into force at the start of the scheme’s construction, the project team had to adapt to new ways of information delivery. To ensure complete adherence to the latest guidance, Pick Everard worked effectively in conjunction with specialist designers and suppliers to co-ordinate solutions that met the updated criteria for the required building fabric elements.

Early collaboration across the project delivery team proved key to resolving challenges, and the project’s construction schedule was maintained through a high degree of off-site manufacture included in the design. Examples of this includes hundreds of prefabricated elements, such as 64-cantilevered balconies, 327-bathroom pods and 261-pre-assembled kitchens.