Architecture
Residential
Client
Aldwyck Housing Group
Contractor
SDC
Value
£5.8m
Status
Completed
Aldwyck Housing Group selected Vincent and Gorbing to design this development on the northern fringe of Luton, comprising 45 houses and 6 supported living apartments. The site borders Kestrel Way and Pastures Way and has a total frontage of 0.5km, but an average depth of only 31m. A cycleway, part of National Cycle Network, crossed the site and this had to be re-routed along the perimeter, further reducing the depth of the site.
The main design challenge was to create a scheme with pleasant urban spaces rather than a continuous terrace fronting the streets. The surrounding residential development is bland, uninspired and typical of its age, and the client had high aspirations for a contemporary development that would clearly contrast with this, built to Code for Sustainable Homes Level 4 and Lifetime Home Standards, using high quality materials with generous landscaping.
Vincent and Gorbing’s design solution features a range of house types arranged in short terraces, both parallel and perpendicular to the street frontage. It created a varied and articulated street-scene, integrated with parking courts and landscaped public areas. Individual house frontages have been expressed to give residents a clear sense of their own home.
Landscape design was considered from the outset, to ensure continuity of generous new planting throughout the site. The existing hedgerow, that separates the site from the open countryside beyond was retained and enhanced with native species.
The contractor, SDC Housing, opted for timber-framed construction for a short build programme, Vincent and Gorbing was also commissioned for post-contract detailed design.
