PROJECT REPORT: RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS 21
mixed-use and residential experience informed the design code, street hierarchy and green infrastructure sequencing to keep the long-term build-out legible and resilient,” adds Devine.
A village of gardens
Eco-Bos’ brief given to LHC was for a “village of gardens,” explains Devine. This included low-carbon homes and “walkable neighbourhoods” – offering residents a lifestyle that can be centred around nature and wellbeing. He explains: “The challenge was to knit energy-positive homes, community uses and blue-green infrastructure into a complex, post- industrial landscape, all governed by a design code and multi-phase delivery strategy,” he adds. The site’s previous use has drastically shaped the land and its characteristics, over the centuries. Similarly, although china clay is no longer mined within the boundaries of the site, several resultant mineral pits and other areas are used for the “disposal of micaceous residues” – a byproduct of china clay extraction – and water extraction from various bodies of water onsite. LHC Design wanted to make the most of this history within the design, rather than conceal it. “The masterplan embraces this heritage as drivers for landscape character, routes and ecology,” says Devine. He adds: “Cultural diversity within the china clay area is manifested through a
unique group of features.” These include mining terraces and platforms, industry haul roads, water bodies, cliffs, mica dams, tips and hills, despoiled/disturbed landscape, dry and wet heathland, wet willow and broadleaf woodlands, mire and wetland, historic fi eld patterns and farmstead remnants, as well as traditional Cornish hedge banks and walls. West Carclaze shares its vision with other garden villages being developed within ‘clay country,’ explains Devine. The principles include mixed and balanced communities, with housing to suit all including affordable homes, and regenerating employment opportunities including fl exible workplaces. The schemes within the masterplan also aim to be “socially holistic” – in harmony with other essential facilities, and viable and sustainable over the long term. To comply with their garden village
status, the developments have to be “environmentally responsible, low energy and low impact,” and prioritise ‘green’ transport including walking, cycling and public transport, as well as including extensive green space to enhance and increase the biodiversity and ecology of the sites. The schemes are also designed to sit harmoniously in their location, “sympathetically integrated” into the landscape – natural and post-industrial – and respectful of their cultural heritage, while, says Devine, “seamlessly connecting with existing communities.”
“Heritage assets and ecology shaped the park hierarchy and wetland restoration, so the place reads as Cornish and contemporary” Graham Devine, LHC Design
ADF MARCH 2026
WWW.ARCHITECTSDATAFILE.CO.UK
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60
