An RIBA competition winning scheme by Riches Hawley Mikhail. 105 affordable homes in the centre of Norwich. One of the main starting points was to make this highly sustainable solar project - a total of 46 houses and 56 flats align in east west terraces. All accommodation meets Passivehaus standards and faces south, keeping fuel bills extremely low, and providing sunny, light filled homes. The scheme reinforces existing streets whilst creating a whole new piece of cityscape.
Existing green links are reinforced and a landscape scheme extends beyond the boundaries of the site to include local roads and parks. Mostly two storeys, houses are given the occasional dormer to provide a third bedroom. To harness the winter sun, the scheme has been carefully developed in plan and section. Houses are spaced 15 metres apart, and north-facing roofs are pitched at 15 degrees. South-facing roofs allow for discrete photovoltaic or solar thermal on-site energy. Significant private amenity space and storage is provided, successfully avoiding the problems of overlooking. There are safe places for children to play and all public places enjoy excellent natural surveillance. We also wanted to design fantastic homes that people would love to spend time in. Everyone has a garden or significant terrace. A generous open plan kitchen-dining room forms the heart of every home, opening out with full height glass doors onto south facing private gardens, stoops or balconies.
Winner of Housing Design Awards 2016/2019
Awarded the 2019 Stirling Prize and the inaugral Neave Brown Award 2019
