Sheel Pharmacy | A-Zero Architects

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Completed

Sheel Pharmacy

TEAM

Architects: A-Zero Architects

Giles Bruce, Yasamin Arbabi, Soenwoo Kim

London, UK

Located in a diverse urban area near Lewisham District Centre and the Silk Mills Area of Special Local Character, the site is of historical significance with Victorian-era architecture.
The existing pharmacy was proposed to be extended and reconfigured, provide new frontage to Lewisham Road, new consultation rooms, and new staff facilities. An emphasis on accessibility from the street and to the new basement accommodation was highlighted by the design team. Natural daylight, something that is lacking in the existing pharmacy was also prioritised.
Five residential units are provided: 4 no. 1 bed units, and 1 no. 2 bed unit. All units are dual aspect with private amenity space to the rear. The roof of the pharmacy, which is accessible from the residential units, gives access route for bins and bicycles in the existing rear garden. The roof garden addresses the dilapidated condition of the current roof, transforming it into a shared amenity with planted beds and roof lanterns that provide natural light to the pharmacy below.

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When the client approach us in 2022, this property was derelict and had not been occupied in 10 years - there was evidence of arson and squatting. When we first visited it was Halloween and the house had been decorated by the community as the local haunted house – which was quite apt given its dilapidated condition.

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