The materials used for the project were vitally important to the finished building, and Doodle considered many options when it came to brick choice. A specific colour and texture were needed in order to complement the surrounding buildings and ensure 13 Manette Street didn’t stand out as a “new” development, with multiple rounds of testing on site to ensure that planners would sign off the choice.

After much consideration, Ibstock’s Cooksbridge Rustic Blend, commonly chosen for its aesthetic qualities, was identified as the ideal choice for the project – a thrown stock, soft mud brick, which provides a buff, light textured façade, the Cooksbridge Rustic Blend offered exactly the slightly weathered look needed to complement the Chapel. Doodle created renders of the building, and Ibstock were able to perfectly match the tone, texture and colour of brick needed for such a specific project, with many factors at play.

Doodle worked closely with suppliers to ensure the exact look desired was achieved for the building, with hand-carved, glazed terracotta tiles, a handmade double arch window with curved steel reveals, and handcrafted one-off cornices, ground floor shop fronts, and balconies. Taking architectural cues from the Chapel, Doodle developed the profile for the windows based on the large arched windows with a curved stone façade.

The result was a beautifully and thoughtfully constructed building that blends seamlessly with its historical neighbour, while maintaining its own individual identity; a complete transformation was achieved, without overshadowing the surrounding environment.