DMG 04. Junior Ranks' Single Living Accommodation JRSLA

DEO(W) Design Guide JRSLA 2 General & Design Requirements
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2.3.4 Privacy / Screening
JRSLA should be screened from working areas by the building configuration, its
location or by planting. However, the screening of JRSLA to increase privacy for
occupants must not conflict with security requirements of the unit. Site planning
must allow for effective patrols of the buildings. Grouping of the buildings into
courtyards can provide privacy and protection against the wind and outside noise,
but dead-end pedestrian courtyards should be avoided for security reasons.
2.3.5 Relation to other Facilities
Within the accommodation zoning of an MOD Unit, the JRSLA, Mess and Social
Club should be collocated within the living zone. The three facilities should be
sited close enough to allow easy access, under cover if possible.
Junior servicemen and women are also regular users of the unit sports facilities
and the siting of JRSLA relative to sports halls and gyms should reflect this
interest.
2.4 ARCHITECTURAL SCALE AND FORM
JRSLA buildings are generally of 2 or 3 storeys. Combined with planning around
the basic flat unit, this results in a domestic scale of building divided into small
building blocks. The choice of materials and components needs to give a domestic
scale and character to the JRSLA buildings, while still meeting the endurance and
maintenance criteria of the MOD unit.
The buildings are generally of brick/block load-bearing construction with pitched
roofs of clay or concrete tiles, or fibre-cement slates. The MOD Reference Cost
Manual allows for a straight-forward, sturdy building design, without elaborate or
unnecessary decorative features. Facing brickwork can include band courses and
window surround detail to give variety to the elevations, while the roof is kept
simple with roof lights over circulation cores where required.
Where standard accommodation modules are used, whether it is the 6-person flat
or 20-bed block, the treatment of the link blocks is important in the overall
configuration of the building footprint. If poorly designed, these link elements can
waste large amounts of space.
Large accommodation blocks are often institutional in character. The design of
JRSLA should promote a more domestic feel, with the flat forming the basic unit of
the architectural massing. Changes in direction in the elevation and a stepped
profile create interesting views and external spaces. Careful treatment of the
entrance to the building and its adjacent landscaping helps to anchor it in its
surroundings.
2.4.1 Local Character
Response to the local architectural character will involve the sympathetic use of
materials and an appropriate scale of building massing. The scale and density of
development in the locality will have a bearing on JRSLA design where projects are
located close to civilian accommodation.
2.4.2 Height Restrictions
JSP315 Scale 3 recommends accommodation blocks of 3 storeys for reasons of
economy. This is also a maximum height under the Modular Suite design, since a
single staircase is relied on to serve each block and under Building Regulations this
restricts the height to a maximum of 3 storeys for fire escape purposes.
On RAF sites, where airfield flight paths pass close to JRSLA, the buildings are
generally restricted to 2 storeys.