This scheme uses a combination of a tried and tested urban strategy - the three- or four-storey terrace and two-storey mews development - adapted to suit the riverside site and the peculiarities of its geometry. The resultant plan form is a pair of sinuous terraces that enclose food- producing garden spaces but acknowledge that the riverside walk into town is the primary urban link. The riverside terrace is broken by glazed winter gardens which separate the terrace into, effectively, a series of linked semi-detached blocks, and a major break is created where the proposed new footbridge will link to the other side of the river.
The energy efficiency strategy combines superinsulation and high thermal mass with passive solar gains from the winter gardens. The construction of the houses consists of rammed-earth cross walls and pre-cast floors wrapped up in a highly insulated timber frame.
The assessors enjoyed the innovative energy proposals and, while there was some doubt as to whether the circulation of water through the foundations and cross walls would provide useful heat gain, the incorporation of small parapet-mounted wind generators and river flow turbines for electrical production seemed to have more chance of success. While some of the assessors were concerned by the 'continental' flavour of the external appearance, the confident and colourful handling of the riverside elevation was generally admired.
You might also like...
RIBA House of the Year: Off-grid Highlands home takes top prize
A ’truly breathtaking’ self-sufficient hideaway in the West Highlands, designed by Haysom Ward Miller Architects, has been named RIBA House of the Year 2018
HÛT wins planning for mews homes in west London
HÛT has won planning permission for four mews houses on a backland site in west London
Grimshaw’s Camden Town Sainsbury’s ‘under threat’ from redevelopment
A key element of Nicholas Grimshaw’s High-Tech Sainsbury’s Superstore complex in the heart of Camden Town is ‘under threat’ of redevelopment, according to heritage campaigners
PH+ wins planning for high-density 120-home scheme in Hackney Wick
PH+ Architects has won planning approval for a 120-home, mixed-use scheme on the edge of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park
Have your say
You must sign in to make a comment
Please remember that the submission of any material is governed by our Terms and Conditions and by submitting material you confirm your agreement to these Terms and Conditions.
Links may be included in your comments but HTML is not permitted.