Sterling Gardens
Nissen Richards Studio worked with Nelson Land on the design development and implementation of a two-phase residential development, located in a historically-challenging location. The former industrial site, once home to the Sterling Cables manufacturing plant and the Newbury Town Gas Company, is bordered by the main railway to the south and predominantly residential neighbourhoods to the north. These constraints posed various challenges, such as the need for extensive decontamination, the creation of a new link road, the addition of two roundabouts to alleviate traffic congestion, and addressing deficiencies in drainage infrastructure. Nissen Richards Studio was tasked with rethinking the building layouts and architectural approach while retaining the original massing of a previously approved scheme.
The design modifications that were needed included a focus on improving safety, accessibility, and the overall living environment. Notable changes included the use of brickwork to deepen balconies, more expressive window and door reveals, and a reworked landscaping strategy for the central gardens that enhanced the visual appeal and user experience.
Internally, the apartment layouts were reconfigured to optimise spatial efficiency, providing larger living areas and more functional common spaces. A concierge service was introduced to centralise access and improve security – a feature not common in developments outside central London.
A significant architectural shift involved rethinking the exterior materiality. Through an in-depth study of local materials, Nissen Richards Studio created a textured, expressive façade that responded to the site’s industrial history while enhancing its contemporary presence. Internally, each apartment features full-height windows, which maximise natural light and frame views of either the landscaped podium or the broader surrounding landscape.
The development is being realised in two phases. The first, completed phase delivered 119 apartments, with 48 additional units to follow in the second phase. The apartment typologies are predominantly two-bedroom units, with a smaller number of one- and three-bedroom units, along with duplex family units in the final phase.
Originally intended for private sale, the completed apartments have now been designated as affordable housing, made possible by a grant from Homes England and the Local Authority. Of the first phase, 27 homes are allocated for social rent, 62 for affordable rent, and 30 for shared ownership. This transformation contributes significantly to addressing the demand for high-quality, accessible housing in the area, providing homes that will benefit the local community for years to come.
Upon completion of the second phase, Sterling Gardens will consist of 167 apartments set within extensive landscaped grounds and a new link road improving connectivity.
The development’s strategic location ensures excellent road and rail access, while the thoughtful design prioritises spacious, light-filled interiors. Expansive windows allow natural light to flood the apartments and offer views over the landscaped central courtyard or surrounding countryside. The careful arrangement of the buildings and the integration of outdoor spaces enhances the overall sense of place, establishing Sterling Gardens as a development that respects its context, has responsibly integrated and improved local transport infrastructure and which elevates the overall architectural quality of the area.
We are proud to feature and promote in our architecture magazine: Sterling Gardens by Nissen Richards Studio
