Date: 13 October 08
Author: Caroline Ednie, Web Editor
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Telford Drive is a new housing development comprising twenty units, four of which are for tenants of ‘varying needs’.
The completed terrace and tower were developed as phase one of a larger ‘masterplan’, but were also designed to act as a stand-alone development. A temporary landscaped strip replaces the ‘landscaped street’ until completion of the subsequent phases, and provides a shared space for all residents.
The client had ambitions for a progressive design, however they also had a very specific and prescriptive briefing document, which determined space standards; material options; and covered designing for ‘Housing for Varying Needs’. As a result the buildings have been designed to adapt to the varying needs of the residents over their lifetime with the integration of several fully accessible flats on the ground floors as well as flexible and easily changeable layouts above which allow for various family groups. This provides flexibility in terms of the way people choose to live.
The design creates shared terraced gardens for residents at first floor level maximising amenity for the residents. Projecting 'winter gardens' maximise the south-west aspect of the blocks and allow a visual connection to the ‘landscaped street’, which is incorporated within the wider masterplan. Sustainable principles were adopted throughout, emphasising social interaction, personalisation of spaces whilst maintaining levels of privacy and encouraging a feeling of ownership.
There is northern European feel to the design with warm, simply detailed brickwork complimented by western red cedar boarding and timber windows.
Project: Affordable Housing,Telford Drive
Architect: gordon murray + alan dunlop architects
Client: Manor Estates Housing Association
Location: Edinburgh
Link: http://www.murraydunloparchitects.com
Images: Keith Hunter Photography
Building Biographies
09 Oct 08 to 11 Jan 09, The Lighthouse, Glasgow, Gallery 4
The 4th biennial survey of architecture in Scotland explores new trends in regional and sustainable building by looking at eight recently completed buildings, mainly in the Highlands and Islands, alongside six from continental Europe.
The project has also been shortlisted for the 2008 RIAS Andrew Doolan Award for the Best Building in Scotland.
I love this project and can not believe it is housing for rent
not really a comment on this project but the overall standard of work on show at the Lighthouse and quality of the Architecture in Scotland 2006-2008 exhibition and book, which is excellent. This would have been a great exhibition for the British Pavillion at the Venice Biennale.