Rainsford Road

About this project

The Rainsford Road development in Chelmsford, undertaken by McCarthy Stone, is situated on a narrow, linear site that was previously a surface car park. The site is constrained on one side by the Country Hotel and Chelmsford Ring Road, making it a challenging location for development.

The architecture of the project is contemporary, designed to fit within a prominent area of Chelmsford, and distinguishes itself from other McCarthy Stone projects, which are typically more traditional in style.

The building includes car parking at ground level, with three floors of residential accommodation above, consisting of 49 retirement living apartments. At the fourth floor, a residents’ sky lounge is located, with a roof formed using a combination of steel and timber. The building’s elevation features elements that provide visual relief, such as projecting bays, apex roof structures, and a green living wall at ground level.

The structure consists of a reinforced concrete (RC) frame up to the fourth floor, supported by piled foundations. The roof is constructed with a steel frame, incorporating infill timber joists, while the projecting apex roof details are formed in steel. The design also includes integral thermally broken steel balconies for enhanced insulation.