Melrose Mews
When we were approached for ideas on this brownfield site, it needed a lot of creative thinking to bring out the best of a challenging set of constraints.
We examined development options before land purchase to analyse potential improvements on an existing permission for 4 small houses. Designing a mews approach to site layout has reaped rewards in terms of quality of interior spaces, development return and overall character.
While we still had to pay close attention to technical aspects of a terrace, the project moved without any objections through the planning process, which is testament to the carefully considered design approach. A fully inhabitable 3d model helped early decision-making through planning and on to construction.
Making orientation and outlook work
We made the key suggestion that a terrace as an urban form provides better development value, is intrinsically an easier route to reaching environmental targets and gives vastly improved outlook to most rooms.
The site also has a subtle slope southward, something the previous design didn’t make use of. By placing the building at the upper side of the site, with a clear visual link back to the main road, it was possible to introduce upper-level views southwards towards the London skyline, over a leafy neighbourhood. The approach road invites you into a smaller scale street which only later reveals a partial second floor at the master bedroom level.
Simply sustainable
This re-orientation also helped hugely with early consultation with the Passivhaus design process. It was clear this South-facing aspect gave the development huge potential to provide passive solar gains with balconies also providing some solar shading. The compact form also helped minimise external wall heat losses, while these themselves saw a high standard of insulation installed, alongside triple-glazing as standard. Because air-source heat pumps were an assumption early on, these were allocated to an otherwise unused spot behind a tall parapet, hidden yet also successful on a functional level.
The site now enjoys a significantly higher level of bio-diversity, with greenery to multiple roof areas, rear gardens, and characterising the mews approach. Achieving a low energy design hasn’t needed complex services – passive solar gains, well-insulated walls and windows go a long way.
Crafting details for great homes
To create a setting for a strong sense of community to thrive, we aimed to prioritise pedestrian routes from the main road and keep necessary vehicle space to a minimum. There are many other small details which add character, making a speculative housing development feel like a bespoke home.
Open joists to make the most of ceiling heights where practical to do this, making some of the flats units take on a more unique identity. Deep recessed brickwork openings maximise privacy without losing outlook and small height changes between houses to maintain individuality.
Adding Value to Residential Developments
For more information on the value we added to this site and other commercial projects, check out our commercial page.
