Dave Frost reflects on his work at Monks Cross Shopping Park, York, discussing the large-scale refurbishment, creation of a pedestrianised public realm, integration of new retail pods and the innovative use of perforated architectural mesh cladding to transform the site’s identity.

What is the project name and location?

Monks Cross Shopping Park, York.

What was your role in the project?

Project Lead.

What made this project meaningful for you?

This project was particularly unique and meaningful as it presented a rare opportunity to comprehensively transform a large retail asset, rather than simply refurbishing individual units. The entire estate was reimagined and enhanced, from modernising the dated building façades to the complete upgrade and reconfiguration of the car park and surrounding public realm. The introduction of new pod units helped create a vibrant, pedestrian-only street environment, fundamentally changing how the space is experienced by visitors. Being involved in such an ambitious refurbishment at this scale was both challenging and rewarding and witnessing the dramatic contrast between the site’s condition before and after completion reinforced the value and impact of the project.

What was the biggest challenge and how did you overcome it?

The biggest challenge for the project was reconciling the client’s ambitious aspirations for a high-quality, transformative architectural outcome with the realities of a defined budget. Achieving a premium aesthetic and a strong visual identity required a careful calibration of design ambition against cost constraints. Early design proposals, which involved significant removal and replacement of the existing building fabric, were abandoned during the design phase due to budget constraints.

The adopted strategy focused on maximising the potential of the existing asset by retaining the majority of the primary structure and façade, thereby reducing demolition and construction costs while supporting a more sustainable approach. Architectural intervention was then concentrated on key visual elements, employing a restrained palette of crisp, contemporary materials to deliver maximum impact where it mattered most.

In particular, the existing drum signage towers were stripped back to their structural frames and reimagined through the application of a new rectilinear perforated cladding system. This intervention transformed a dated element into a bold architectural feature, providing the estate with a renewed and cohesive identity. The perforated screens perform differently throughout the day, offering a refined, modern appearance in daylight and becoming a striking focal point at night when backlit, creating a dynamic and engaging visual presence across the site.

Did the project involve anything new for you – a new skill or a learning moment?

The project presented a significant learning opportunity through the specification and application of a material I had not previously worked with, namely perforated architectural mesh cladding. While there is a natural tendency to rely on familiar material palettes and standardised detailing for efficiency, the decision to introduce a new material required a more rigorous design and coordination process. This approach proved both challenging and ultimately rewarding in its successful outcome.

The primary technical challenge associated with the mesh cladding lay in the integration and detailing of the supporting structural frame. Due to the high level of perforation, the secondary structure remained partially visible behind the cladding, particularly when the building was internally illuminated during evening hours. Resolving this condition required iterative testing of perforation sizes and close collaboration with the structural engineer and mesh manufacturer. Through this process, an optimised structural frame configuration was developed that aligned with the mesh geometry and minimised visual prominence, achieving the desired architectural expression.

What part of this project are you especially proud of and why?

It is difficult to isolate a single aspect of the project as the primary source of pride, as the true success of the scheme lies in the cohesive integration of all elements to deliver a comprehensively revitalised asset. However, I found particular satisfaction in the creation of the pedestrian-only public realm positioned between the refurbished existing retail terrace and the new, smaller-format retail pod units.

Although differing in scale, the architectural language of the refurbished terrace and the new pods achieved strong visual cohesion, resulting in a generous, animated retail street. This environment is further enriched through the introduction of high-quality public realm interventions, including bespoke street furniture, soft landscaping and integrated seating areas.

Collectively, these design moves transform what was previously a typical 1990s out-of-town retail park into a contemporary and engaging shopping destination, offering a vibrant mix of retail and food and beverage uses, supported by a strong architectural identity and a clear focus on placemaking.

How does this project reflect Urban Edge’s values or approach to design? 

This project reflects Urban Edge’s client-focused design ethos through the successful realisation of an ambitious brief within tight financial constraints. By working collaboratively across the design team, the project was rigorously tested and refined from concept to completion stage. A considered material strategy, combining proven, time-tested materials with innovative architectural cladding, enabled a high-quality outcome that aligns with both the client’s vision and Urban Edge’s commitment to thoughtful, efficient design incorporating the intelligent use of time tested materials alongside exciting new architectural cladding to create a finished product that the whole team is very proud of.

How would you describe the project in one word or phrase?

Placemaking.

We recently sat down with Dave Frost to reflect on his experience leading the design of the new local centre in St Marychurch, Torquay, a defining project that saw him navigate a challenging public consultation in a Conservation Area and deliver a high-quality scheme balancing community concerns, planning requirements and client ambitions. The result was a regeneration project that stayed true to his vision, enhanced the local streetscape and proved both aesthetically and commercially successful.

What is the project name and location?

St Marychurch local centre in Torquay

What was your role in the project?

Lead Architect/Urban Designer.

What made this project meaningful for you?

It was a perhaps one of the most challenging public consultations that I’d attended! The project was controversial and the consultation was challenging, listening to the concerns of the local residents. We worked closely with the local Planning Authority and residents to achieve a scheme that made a visual, social and economic positive impact.

What was the biggest challenge and how did you overcome it?

The local Planning Authority wanted to see high-quality, traditional design and insisted on the introduction of residential use. The solution came in the form of repairing the street scene to the rear of the site by introducing four three-bedroom terraced houses. Our client was initially hesitant to incorporate these additions, however this proved to be positive for the urban street scene and a financially viable addition to the scheme.

Did the project involve anything new for you – a new skill or a learning moment?

Acting as Lead Architect/Urban Designer, the project presented many challenges, including a controversial public consultation along with the challenge of working within a Conservation Area.

What part of this project are you especially proud of and why?

I think I am most proud of the finished building was a very accurate interpretation of designs I produced for planning and the client commenting at the end that it looked just like the CGI’s, maybe better in the flesh.

How does this project reflect Urban Edge’s values or approach to design? 

I felt that the project represented Urban Edge’s ability to work with the client/owner and design team along with the local Planning Authority to deliver a high-quality scheme that enhanced the local area.

How would you describe the project in one word or phrase?

Urban regeneration.

On behalf of our client Canon House Properties Limited we undertook the extensive remodelling of a former kitchen/bathroom showroom on a very prominent site along the A40 in Gerrards Cross.

The development proposals extended to internal reconfiguration of the space to create six new apartments, along with completely re-elevating the external façades and providing new fenestration.

The scheme received planning approval in June 2016 and works started on-site in December 2016. The apartments were completed in the Summer of 2017.

We were instructed by our client to redevelop this former office space located in the centre of Staines-upon-Thames. Having determined that renewed office use was no longer sustainable we decided that the best course of action was to convert the building to residential use and take advantage of the great location and proximity to local amenities on offer.

We proposed to remodel the building to significantly improve its appearance and integrate the existing Pizza Express unit more successfully. Additionally, we added a third floor to the building in order to give the client an additional two properties which succeeded in making the scheme commercially viable.

We submitted the scheme to the local planning department in early 2012 and successfully gained approval in the Summer. Construction began in early 2014 and the building was completed just after Christmas.