CASE STUDY 25
ing estate, and avoid any negative impact on the local streetscape, as residents were keen to ensure, red bricks were specified to maintain a strong visual coherence with the local area. “The building was constructed using a reinforced concrete frame clad in brick,” Phillips told Housebuilder & Developer. “Brick offers the sense of permanence and robustness sought by residents and responds to their desire for a low maintenance building. Sawtooth details were incorporated follow- ing a walking tour of the area with residents, who noted the use of similar details in historic brick buildings.” He continued: “It was really important to residents that the new building felt like part of the existing estate, of which they are rightly proud, so the brick was selected to relate in tone and colour to the brick of the existing estate whilst also responding to local historic buildings such as the Leathermarket.”
QUALITY LIVING Sat on a trapezoidal site, the development overlooks multiple adjacent open spaces, with Guy Street Park to the North and Leathermarket Gardens to the east. Views of these spaces are afforded to many of the residents, with all the homes, either dual or triple aspect, offer floor to ceiling heights and windows that deliver copious amounts of daylighting.
For further connection to the outside, the apartments are provided with balconies, and a third floor terrace has been integrated, with what the architect describes as “outstanding panoramic views,” along with planting, seating, and “opportunities for play.”
In order to produce a community spirit, a notion held throughout the project, Phillips told that balconies were designed “to encourage social interaction,” as well as “generous communal entrances” including seating areas to encourage residents to interact. To the west the building gives on to the existent shared communal garden, further strengthening the connection with the existing community. Further “key criteria” highlighted by
the community was that the building be sustainable. “As a result,” Phillips explained, “the building incorporates a host of features to ensure that the building is low energy and highly sustainable. A fabric-first approach has been taken with the building designed to be highly insulated and air tight to reduce the requirement on heating.” Some of the sustainable features include a highly insulated and airtight building envelope, including triple-glazed windows, a centralised combined heat and power (micro-CHP) unit, photovoltaic panels, mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR) throughout, green
roofing with wildflower planting, sustainable urban drainage measures, low energy light fittings and appliances, and low water-usage fittings. “All homes are dual or triple aspect with generous floor to ceiling heights and excellent levels of natural light and views for residents. All of the communal spaces are naturally lit and ventilated.”
THE RESPONSE
Given the agency they were granted in the process, the residents were inherently pleased with the development they led. Phillips commented on the wider affect: “The response from the local community has been overwhelmingly positive, demon- strated by an unprecedented level of support for the planning application.” The future is likely a bright one for this community-led style of development. LCBS will begin construction of their second development of 40 affordable flats and houses later this year, and have commenced early consultation on their third development. Hopefully, with the success of the development now being evident, Marklake Court may serve to inspire communities across the country to undertake their own projects. The Kipling Estate has in effect proved that residents can create their own opportunities when it comes to improving their housing, with developments built by the community, for the community.
IN ORDER TO INCENTIVISE DOWNSIZING, PROSPECTIVE RESIDENTS WERE GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO CUSTOMISE THEIR OWN FLATS
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