Sunfield Close www.architectureplb.com Page 1 of 2

Sunfield Close Housing, AndoverCompletion Date 2012Contract Value £2mClient Radian Group

In conjunction with Radian, ArchitecturePLBwon a competition to design and deliverinnovative housing on a former allotment site inAndover, Hampshire. Owned by Test ValleyBorough Council, the land was released fordevelopment as affordable housing.

Consisting of 17 houses (78 bed spaces) at adensity of 40 dwellings per hectare, thedevelopment is composed of six different housetypes offering a good range of dwelling sizes toa diverse mix of potential residents and familygroups. The winning design addressed thesensitivities of building on previously communalspaces surrounded by houses, with anarrangement to maintain views across the sitewhilst create privacy and minimise overlooking.

The houses combine green roof and timber cladpods to remain inkeeping with the allotmentsand sheds previously occupying the site. Theaccommodation, predominantly single storey, isarranged up against a perimeter wall that backsonto surrounding gardens to create internal,south facing courtyards. The use of south light ismaximised this way by creating well lit livingspaces that open onto sunny courtyard gardens.At upper level, windows are arranged so thattheir outlook is between the opposing dwellings.

Every house has been designed to Code forSustainable Homes Level 4, comply withLifetime Homes, and exceed the minimum HQIrequirements for affordable housing.

To achieve CfSH 4, the houses have beendesigned to meet PassivHaus levels of thermalinsulation and airtightness, supplemented byphotovoltaic panels on the roofs. The advantageof this approach is that it requires very fewlifestyle changes on behalf of the tenants; notonly do the houses require very little heating, thePVs also feed electricity directly into the housesfor use in normal domestic appliances.

Externally, materials have been selected whichare natural, long lasting and unobtrusive. Sedumroofs at first floor help maintain a green outlookfrom the neighbouring houses, while assistingwith water run-off, air quality and ecology.

Although the surroundings are predominantlyred brick, a buff brick has been used to theground floor for robustness, longevity, and tohelp lighten the scheme. The upper floors aretimber clad, with a thermally treated softwoodthat will vastly extend its lifespan, but retain anatural warmth that will mellow and age with itssurroundings.

01 House exterior with artwork commissioned from local artist

02 Street frontage03 Positive feedback received

from new residents

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Total Area : 1444sqm GIAProcurement Type : Design & BuildLocal Authority : Test Valley Borough Council

Extensive consultation was key in securingplanning consent and gaining communityapproval for this innovative scheme. A bespokefence commissioned from a local artist screensthe front courtyard gardens, to ensure furtherprivacy and security, whilst allowing for light topenetrate and for passive supervision of thepublic realm.

Residents are delighted with their new homesand the scheme has also been recognised bothregionally and nationally.

Awards

Winner – ‘Development of the Year’ at the CIHUK Housing Award small schemes category

Winner – ‘Best Small Development’ at theAffordable Home Ownership Awards

Shortlisted – Solent Design Awards.

01 View along Sunfield Close02 Junior school pupil who won a

competition to name the road03 Visuals of individual houses04 Sketch of entire scheme05 Cross section

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