We are excited to announce that we are have been appointed by Hacer Developments Limited to act as Employer’s Agent on the refurbishment and extension of an existing building in Picton Yard, Swansea to provide 50 nr residential apartments with rooftop amenity space including greenhouses, an aquaponic system, educational and community space, commercial offices and ground floor retail space.
Our Director, Adam Penny, commented, "This is going to be a very exciting project located in the heart of Swansea providing biophilic living to the residents. We're looking forward to be working with Hacer Developments, Powell Dobson, CB3 Consult, Havernkey and Pobl on this prestigious project."
Funding awarded through the Welsh Government 'Innovative Housing Programme' will enable the project to incorporate innovative technologies and community features, to explore a new way of inner-city housing in Wales.
The aquaponics system will create a continuous cycle where waste produced by fish, living in onsite tanks, adds nutrients to the water which feeds the greenhouse plants. The water is then filtered and recirculated back into the system.
The aquaponic fish tanks and associated equipment will be developed in partnership with Swansea University’s Centre for Sustainable Aquatic Research (CSAR) and will form part of an education and public display on the ground floor of the tower. The vision for Biophilic Living Swansea includes residents running and managing the urban farm as a social enterprise.
The existing building will be redeveloped with new floors added above and a new build tower element to the rear. This will open into a new multi-use public realm, which will become a vibrant public and cultural space and a destination for events and street markets for the City of Swansea.
