Jacob Place

About this project

The Jacob Place development in Saffron Walden, undertaken by McCarthy Stone, comprises 56 residential units along with a range of ancillary spaces. These include a homeowner lounge, bistro, wellness salon, reception lobby, mobility scooter storage, refuse area, and plant room on the ground floor, as well as staff and guest suites on the second floor. The development also includes 16 bungalow units, located alongside the main block in a three-story, load-bearing masonry structure.

The main block was built using Porotherm, a modern load-bearing construction method with hollow clay blocks that are thin-jointed together. This approach accelerates construction and reduces the dead weight of the walls.

The building is supported by traditional trench fill foundations.

BDC worked closely with the specialist supply chain to ensure the seamless integration of all design elements, developing the most efficient structural solution and minimising the amount of steel required in the roof design.

The bungalows were built into the slope of the site and required a sheet-pile retaining wall along the rear boundary to create level gardens for the residents’ use.