Sheffield’s Park Hill pays particular attention to heritage in Phase 2

RIBA Yorkshire Award 2024
2024 RIBA Yorkshire Project Architect of the Year Alim Saleh

Park Hill Phase 2, Sheffield
Michael Riches for Urban Splash and Places for People
Contract value: £2 million
GIA: 16,810 m²
Cost per m²: £1,487

The project is part of the client’s ongoing regeneration of the concrete-framed Brutalist Park Hill building, which sits on a prominent hill overlooking Sheffield city centre. This former social housing scheme, built by Sheffield City Council in the 1950s, is an iconic building in the city and the largest listed structure in Europe. The second phase of the regeneration created 195 apartments and 2,000 m² of commercial space. While retaining as much of the original structure and character as possible, it creates a modern, energy-efficient environment. The architect worked closely with heritage experts to design a new color palette that would give the apartments identity while retaining key elements including the latticework look and ‘streets in the sky’. Inside, the apartments have been combined and reconfigured into contemporary layouts to offer generous open-plan spaces with balconies. Outside, planting new trees and wildflowers helps soften the building.

The first phase of the project stripped the building back to its frame and used bright colors to create a distinctly modern look. In contrast, Phase 2 is a “lighter touch”, retaining more of the existing built material and using more subtle colors to blend the complex into the landscape. These colours, which reference the nearby Peak District, are used on balconies and flat entrances. The local Pennine landscape is also reflected in the new planting around the complex, which combines with the existing mature trees retained to create a biodiverse wildlife habitat on this previously grassy site.

Aiming to preserve as much of the original building as possible, while making the apartments more energy efficient and flexible, the architect’s close collaboration with heritage experts used thermal imaging to identify problem areas and develop solutions. As the size and layout of the existing apartments did not meet modern standards and lifestyles, they were reconfigured to provide generous, open-plan living spaces oriented to take advantage of the city’s best views. The result is a variety of different apartment types and creating a mixed community and a place where both first time buyers and families can live, work and play.

The jury was particularly impressed by how the architect overcame the many challenges of the 1950s structure and delivered a project during the Covid-19 pandemic. Project architect Alim Saleh, who has been involved with the scheme since the early stages of the competition, was awarded the RIBA Yorkshire Project Architect of the Year. Through engagement and understanding of the building and its context, he developed a design that celebrates life in the city center and respects the character of this important listed building.

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RIBA Regional Awards 2024 sponsored by EH Smith and Autodesk