On Bowling Green Street in Sheffield’s Kelham Island, The Hive reimagines what build-to-rent living can be with a co-living model that aims to create a community-centred living experience beyond the apartment.

We have submitted plans on behalf of Grantside for 90 co-living homes ranging from generous co-living apartments to studios and duplexes. The aim is to provide private living space whilst also promoting social contact between residents to boost wellbeing.

At the heart of the scheme is a central courtyard café overlooked by balconies and breakout spaces on each level. The courtyard will be covered by an ETFE roof to provide shelter without the space feeling enclosed. Retail units on the ground floor create active frontages to three sides of the building and invite the public through to the courtyard.

In addition to co-working space, a gym, cinema, yoga studio, laundry and shared lounges, communal kitchen and dining facilities add to the inclusive environment and encourage residents to cook and eat collectively. Rooftop allotments will also be communally maintained by residents to encourage social wellbeing, biodiversity and sustainable food sources, with beehives managed by a local organisation.

A highly sustainable net zero carbon development, the building will use locally sourced materials that absorb carbon, are low-maintenance and have a high recyclable content. Existing brickwork obtained during demolition will be reused as flooring within the new courtyard. In addition, solar panels have been added to the roof to provide energy for the various amenity spaces.

A weathered steel frame expresses the how the building is constructed, while profiled weathered steel panels are paired with perforated panels which partially screen windows using pattern designs associated with the local crafts industry.

Internally, the palette of materials is locally sourced and naturally crafted. Timber is the predominant material, with exposed CLT soffits that maximise floor-to-ceiling heights and natural daylight. 

Each apartment is designed with customisable wall shelving and storage to give residents greater flexibility and a sense of ownership of the space.