Multi-unit housing offers as many design challenges as detached houses. But all developments have site-specific challenges; the ideas are interchangeable.
While the concerns over how the UK’s population increase is exacerbating the shortage of homes, there are reasons to be hopeful about how architects, builders, developers and housing associations are responding to the needs. A good showcase of how that is happening is InsideHousing.co.uk’s review of exemplary design innovation for homes built in the past year.
These are all multi-unit structures, although many are sold or rented at market rates. There are lessons in each that can also inform the detached homes builders as well as managers of property funds who identify where such homes can and should be built (of note, it’s the land and location where development takes place that are among the most critically influential factors in architecture - and a key application of investors’ funds).
These are the finalists and winner in the design category for 2015:
Mint Street, Bethnal Green (London) - Of the 67 homes in this repurposed carpark, 23 are at market rent, with the others available at social rent (27 homes) and shared ownership (17 homes). From a design standpoint the judges noted the development overcame close proximity to a railway by placing bedrooms on the opposite side of the building and the use of landscaping as a buffer.
What can detached homebuilders take away from this? Landscape can be a very useful tool in mitigating noise and visual pollution. This development is in close proximity to overground and underground stations, a plus for working commuters but sometimes the reason land is lower-priced because it adjoins noisy transit.
Abode at Great Kneighton (Trumpington, Cambridge) - Judges cite this 308-home development (with two-, four- and five-bedroom houses and flats) for achieving a “village setting within a vibrant mixed-use community.” Sixty per cent of the dwellings are market rate and 16 per cent are shared ownership. Accommodations for physically and visually impaired people are incorporated into the design.
What can detached homebuilders take away from this? The sense of community, aided by a heterogeneous mixed-use design, makes the individual homes more attractive. Inhabitants want to be out and about meeting neighbours and making new friends. Real asset fund managers who get involved in planning a development and achieving local planning authority approval might emphasise the benefits of such a design to local councils and communities.
The Countess of Wessex House (Hounslow, London) - This is a retrofit of a charity home for children, now repurposed as mostly one-bedroom flats for vulnerable or disabled ex-service men and women. It is specifically designed to provide trauma and psychological support.
What can detached homebuilders take away from this? The actual design of the retrofit is relatively plain. But in total, it makes a visual impression for its serene use of common materials, aided by a modernistic-design of balconies that would enhance any living space for any reason.
VIVO and So Stepney; Ocean Estate (East Thames, London) - Balconies, gardens and terraces define this 707-home two-building apartment block development. Built at a cost of £220 million, it regenerates a neighbourhood that was formerly one of the most deprived estates in England.
What can detached homebuilders take away from this? Outdoor access and vegetation is a value even - and especially? - in the most urban environments. The canary yellow balconies are a visual pop in the cityscape, an example of how the creative use of colour can distinguish structures in pleasing ways.
Royal Road (Elephant & Castle, London) - The 96 apartments in this 100 per cent affordable development are in four buildings situated around a well-designed courtyard. Sixty-per cent of the homes are triple-aspect (three sides have windows) and 40 per cent have dual aspect, providing sunshine and natural airflow as desired. Cost to build was £12 Million.
What can detached homebuilders take away from this? Daylighting and views are valuable to residents, as is a common space such as a courtyard.
Castlemaine Court (Byfleet, Surrey) - Built for just £2.1 million, these 16 homes offered at social rent are wheelchair accessible and have walk-in showers. Most are dual aspect with large windows that permit good quality natural lighting. Timber interconnecting walkways and a single exterior staircase unify three buildings in the development.
What can detached homebuilders take away from this? This development took top honours in part because to build it required much collaboration with the surrounding community and ward councillor who initially offered much resistance. Investors who put real assets into buying land must undergo a similar challenge when seeking use change approvals from local planning authorities.
Investments in any type of housing schemes require a due diligence process. An independent financial advisor is best equipped to assist investors in determining which properties or instruments fit the specific needs of individual portfolios.
While the concerns over how the UK’s population increase is exacerbating the shortage of homes, there are reasons to be hopeful about how architects, builders, developers and housing associations are responding to the needs. A good showcase of how that is happening is InsideHousing.co.uk’s review of exemplary design innovation for homes built in the past year.
These are all multi-unit structures, although many are sold or rented at market rates. There are lessons in each that can also inform the detached homes builders as well as managers of property funds who identify where such homes can and should be built (of note, it’s the land and location where development takes place that are among the most critically influential factors in architecture - and a key application of investors’ funds).
These are the finalists and winner in the design category for 2015:
Mint Street, Bethnal Green (London) - Of the 67 homes in this repurposed carpark, 23 are at market rent, with the others available at social rent (27 homes) and shared ownership (17 homes). From a design standpoint the judges noted the development overcame close proximity to a railway by placing bedrooms on the opposite side of the building and the use of landscaping as a buffer.
What can detached homebuilders take away from this? Landscape can be a very useful tool in mitigating noise and visual pollution. This development is in close proximity to overground and underground stations, a plus for working commuters but sometimes the reason land is lower-priced because it adjoins noisy transit.
Abode at Great Kneighton (Trumpington, Cambridge) - Judges cite this 308-home development (with two-, four- and five-bedroom houses and flats) for achieving a “village setting within a vibrant mixed-use community.” Sixty per cent of the dwellings are market rate and 16 per cent are shared ownership. Accommodations for physically and visually impaired people are incorporated into the design.
What can detached homebuilders take away from this? The sense of community, aided by a heterogeneous mixed-use design, makes the individual homes more attractive. Inhabitants want to be out and about meeting neighbours and making new friends. Real asset fund managers who get involved in planning a development and achieving local planning authority approval might emphasise the benefits of such a design to local councils and communities.
The Countess of Wessex House (Hounslow, London) - This is a retrofit of a charity home for children, now repurposed as mostly one-bedroom flats for vulnerable or disabled ex-service men and women. It is specifically designed to provide trauma and psychological support.
What can detached homebuilders take away from this? The actual design of the retrofit is relatively plain. But in total, it makes a visual impression for its serene use of common materials, aided by a modernistic-design of balconies that would enhance any living space for any reason.
VIVO and So Stepney; Ocean Estate (East Thames, London) - Balconies, gardens and terraces define this 707-home two-building apartment block development. Built at a cost of £220 million, it regenerates a neighbourhood that was formerly one of the most deprived estates in England.
What can detached homebuilders take away from this? Outdoor access and vegetation is a value even - and especially? - in the most urban environments. The canary yellow balconies are a visual pop in the cityscape, an example of how the creative use of colour can distinguish structures in pleasing ways.
Royal Road (Elephant & Castle, London) - The 96 apartments in this 100 per cent affordable development are in four buildings situated around a well-designed courtyard. Sixty-per cent of the homes are triple-aspect (three sides have windows) and 40 per cent have dual aspect, providing sunshine and natural airflow as desired. Cost to build was £12 Million.
What can detached homebuilders take away from this? Daylighting and views are valuable to residents, as is a common space such as a courtyard.
Castlemaine Court (Byfleet, Surrey) - Built for just £2.1 million, these 16 homes offered at social rent are wheelchair accessible and have walk-in showers. Most are dual aspect with large windows that permit good quality natural lighting. Timber interconnecting walkways and a single exterior staircase unify three buildings in the development.
What can detached homebuilders take away from this? This development took top honours in part because to build it required much collaboration with the surrounding community and ward councillor who initially offered much resistance. Investors who put real assets into buying land must undergo a similar challenge when seeking use change approvals from local planning authorities.
Investments in any type of housing schemes require a due diligence process. An independent financial advisor is best equipped to assist investors in determining which properties or instruments fit the specific needs of individual portfolios.
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