Can Affordable Housing be Designed to Support Our Wellbeing?
Nature, sustainability and mental health are the key drivers behind the designs of these new housing estates
Amanda Pollard
10 October 2019
Senior Editor at Houzz UK and Ireland. Journalist and editor specialising in interiors and architecture.
Senior Editor at Houzz UK and Ireland. Journalist and editor specialising in interiors... More
The contentment of residents isn’t a new thing when it comes to designing social housing: architects such as Neave Brown and Kate Mackintosh have long championed this aim. But as architecture firm Mikhail Riches wins both RIBA‘s Neave Brown Award for Housing and the Stirling Prize for its Norwich council housing, the importance of well-designed affordable homes is high on the agenda.
Take a look at these housing projects that were on show as part of Open House London 2019 to see how architects are putting sustainability, a sense of community and a connection to nature at the forefront of their designs.
Take a look at these housing projects that were on show as part of Open House London 2019 to see how architects are putting sustainability, a sense of community and a connection to nature at the forefront of their designs.
Hale Village, Tottenham Hale
Nature and sustainability were important factors when it came to regenerating a brownfield site in Tottenham Hale, north-east London, to create a waterside ecovillage.
The concept was inspired by the Hammarby Sjöstad district in Stockholm, a lakeside development that focuses heavily on the use of ecosystems, the protection of local wildlife, and sustainability. At Hale Village, signs lead residents to areas such as rooftop gardens, a sky allotment and green roofs, as well as shops and other facilities.
The homes themselves were designed in a way that doesn’t differentiate between the various types of tenure, the aim being to create an inclusive community. They all benefit from large windows and balconies, which look out to the green spaces below.
Nature and sustainability were important factors when it came to regenerating a brownfield site in Tottenham Hale, north-east London, to create a waterside ecovillage.
The concept was inspired by the Hammarby Sjöstad district in Stockholm, a lakeside development that focuses heavily on the use of ecosystems, the protection of local wildlife, and sustainability. At Hale Village, signs lead residents to areas such as rooftop gardens, a sky allotment and green roofs, as well as shops and other facilities.
The homes themselves were designed in a way that doesn’t differentiate between the various types of tenure, the aim being to create an inclusive community. They all benefit from large windows and balconies, which look out to the green spaces below.
Pembury Circus, Hackney
When designing a group of residential blocks in Hackney, north-east London, the architects at Fraser Brown MacKenna (FBM Architects) looked at how they would affect the residents both physiologically and emotionally. An important decision was to lay out the buildings to comfortably flow around a series of tranquil spaces and ‘pedestrian desire lines’, or paths that people would naturally take to move from one area to another.
The residential blocks share space with a community centre, shops, offices, a nursery and a gym, all of which can be accessed safely, as the estate is car-free.
Sustainability was again important, with all the new homes being built to have a low impact on the environment. Low carbon and renewable technologies have been used to make them energy-efficient.
Find local architects and read reviews from others who’ve worked with them.
When designing a group of residential blocks in Hackney, north-east London, the architects at Fraser Brown MacKenna (FBM Architects) looked at how they would affect the residents both physiologically and emotionally. An important decision was to lay out the buildings to comfortably flow around a series of tranquil spaces and ‘pedestrian desire lines’, or paths that people would naturally take to move from one area to another.
The residential blocks share space with a community centre, shops, offices, a nursery and a gym, all of which can be accessed safely, as the estate is car-free.
Sustainability was again important, with all the new homes being built to have a low impact on the environment. Low carbon and renewable technologies have been used to make them energy-efficient.
Find local architects and read reviews from others who’ve worked with them.
Kings Crescent, Stoke Newington
Resident involvement was key again in this project in Stoke Newington, north-east London. In fact, the architects at Karakusevic Carson and Henley Halebrown involved the tenants in the whole process.
A study by Dutch urban consultant Jan Gehl, which found that pedestrians feel more at ease around streetscapes with texture and life than ones that are plain, is particularly pertinent here. The blocks differ in character, and a focus on detail and proportion makes the buildings feel interesting rather than monotonous. The three blocks surround landscaped communal gardens with a play street in the centre.
The interiors can easily be adapted by residents to suit their needs, and the high ceilings make the rooms feel open and spacious. Large windows and doors that lead out to balconies or terraces bring natural light inside.
Resident involvement was key again in this project in Stoke Newington, north-east London. In fact, the architects at Karakusevic Carson and Henley Halebrown involved the tenants in the whole process.
A study by Dutch urban consultant Jan Gehl, which found that pedestrians feel more at ease around streetscapes with texture and life than ones that are plain, is particularly pertinent here. The blocks differ in character, and a focus on detail and proportion makes the buildings feel interesting rather than monotonous. The three blocks surround landscaped communal gardens with a play street in the centre.
The interiors can easily be adapted by residents to suit their needs, and the high ceilings make the rooms feel open and spacious. Large windows and doors that lead out to balconies or terraces bring natural light inside.
Victoria Wharf, Notting Hill
The community was at the centre of planning when it came to designing this development in west London. The block of 22 affordable homes, designed by architecture firm Child Graddon Lewis, was built in a derelict site beside the Grand Union Canal. The aim was to enhance the surrounding area for the borough’s residents, while providing affordable, sustainable homes for local professionals.
The colourful, textured exterior was influenced by the decoration on narrowboats, with each flat benefiting from a bright-hued balcony. Other features include a green glazed-brick wall that faces the street, and diamond-patterned sliding aluminium screens along the façade.
The flats were built as lifetime homes with a focus on accessibility. There’s a wheelchair-accessible lift at the main entrance and space for wheelchair turning circles throughout the building, as well as a door entry system that’s suitable for those with visual or hearing impairments.
Tell us…
What do you think of these housing developments? Can we take ideas for individual homes from these designs? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
The community was at the centre of planning when it came to designing this development in west London. The block of 22 affordable homes, designed by architecture firm Child Graddon Lewis, was built in a derelict site beside the Grand Union Canal. The aim was to enhance the surrounding area for the borough’s residents, while providing affordable, sustainable homes for local professionals.
The colourful, textured exterior was influenced by the decoration on narrowboats, with each flat benefiting from a bright-hued balcony. Other features include a green glazed-brick wall that faces the street, and diamond-patterned sliding aluminium screens along the façade.
The flats were built as lifetime homes with a focus on accessibility. There’s a wheelchair-accessible lift at the main entrance and space for wheelchair turning circles throughout the building, as well as a door entry system that’s suitable for those with visual or hearing impairments.
Tell us…
What do you think of these housing developments? Can we take ideas for individual homes from these designs? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
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Good architecture extends well beyond the red line boundary. It requires the skills of Chartered Landscape Architects in the fields of Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment (LVIA) and Townscape and Visual Impact Assessment (TVIA) to ensure the built form integrates with its environmental context. See Landscape Institute website. There is a significant shortage of Landscape Architects in the design and construction industry. As a Chartered Landscape Architect I have been practising for nearly 30 years in a very fulfilling and well paid profession.
I thought it very interesting article, definetly believe their should be Chartered Landscape Architects in planning process for these thoughtful designs.
The one thing I feel that should be done on the terraces/veranda would be to incorporate outside taps and drains that go along the length of these terraces (similar to the long discreet drains in wet rooms & have the water go into holding tanks then used to water the green spaces) These terraces are great but get dusty dirty and giving a good clean with a hose without drowning your downstairs neighbors! Plants get a light water and keeps the terraces fresh & clean!
Just a thought!
How very inspiring that this kind of affordable living space is being thought about and designed. Surely we can only get better and better at it.